Webster's New World Medical Dictionary

Hashimoto disease
A progressive disease of the
thyroid gland characterized by the presence of anti-
bodies directed against the thyroid and by infiltra-
tion of the thyroid gland by lymphocytes (white
blood cells activated by the immune system).
Hashimoto disease is the most common cause of
hypothyroidism in North America and Europe. In
Hashimoto disease, the thyroid gland is usually
enlarged (goiter) and has a decreased ability to
make thyroid hormones. Hashimoto disease pre-
dominantly affects women, and it can be inherited.
Also known as autoimmune thyroiditis and
Hashimoto thyroiditis.
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
See 
Hashimoto disease.
HAV
Hepatitis A virus. See 
hepatitis A.
Havrix
A vaccine that is made from killed hepati-
tis A virus (HAV) and is intended to stimulate the
body’s immune system to produce antibodies
against HAV.
hay fever
See 
allergic rhinitis.
Hb
Hemoglobin.
HBIG
Hepatitis B immune globulin, which con-
tains antibodies to hepatitis B virus (HBV). HBIG
offers prompt but short-lived protection against
infection with HBV. HBIG may be given in cases of
accidents that carry a transmission risk when the
exposed person has not received the HBV vaccine.
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HBO
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy. See 
hyperbaric
oxygen therapy.
HBV
Hepatitis B virus. See 
hepatitis B.
hCG
Human chorionic gonadotropin.
HCM
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. See 
car-
diomyopathy, hypertrophic.