German healthcare has its own vocabulary that can be baffling even for German speakers from other countries. This guide covers the terms and phrases you'll encounter most in sexual health and HIV-related appointments.
Key People and Places
| German | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hausarzt / Hausärztin | GP / family doctor | Your first point of contact; provides referrals |
| Schwerpunktarzt | HIV specialist doctor | The specialist you need for PrEP and HIV care |
| Schwerpunktpraxis | HIV specialist practice | The clinic where Schwerpunktärzte work |
| Facharzt | Specialist doctor | General term for any specialist |
| Notaufnahme | Emergency department | Where you go for PEP |
| Uniklinik | University hospital | Major hospital, best for complex cases |
| Gesundheitsamt | Public health office | Free/anonymous HIV testing |
| Apotheke | Pharmacy | Fills your prescriptions |
| Aidshilfe | AIDS Help organisation | Community support, testing, counselling |
| Checkpoint | Community testing centre | Gay-friendly testing clinic |
Insurance and Billing Terms
| German | Meaning |
|---|---|
| GKV (Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung) | Statutory health insurance (the public system) |
| PKV (Private Krankenversicherung) | Private health insurance |
| Gesundheitskarte | Electronic health insurance card (chip card) |
| Kassenrezept | GKV prescription (pink form — medication covered) |
| Privatrezept | Private prescription (blue form — you pay) |
| Überweisung | Referral from GP to specialist |
| Quartal | Billing quarter (Jan–Mar, Apr–Jun, Jul–Sep, Oct–Dec) |
| Zuzahlung | Copayment |
| Zuzahlungsbefreiung | Copayment exemption (apply if hardship) |
| Krankenkasse | Your specific GKV insurer (e.g., TK, AOK, DAK) |
| Kassenpatient | GKV patient |
| Privatpatient | Private patient (PKV or self-pay) |
Appointment and System Terms
| German | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Termin | Appointment |
| Akutsprechstunde | Same-day/urgent appointment slot |
| Aufnahmestopp | No new patients being accepted |
| Warteliste | Waiting list |
| Sprechstunde | Consultation hours / surgery hours |
| Überweisung | Referral (must be within same Quartal) |
| Befund | Test result |
| Blutabnahme | Blood draw |
| Abstrich | Swab test |
| Abstrich: Rachen | Throat swab |
| Abstrich: Rektal | Rectal swab |
| Abstrich: Harnröhre | Urethral swab |
| Impfpass | Vaccination booklet |
| Attest | Medical certificate |
| Krankschreibung | Sick note |
Sexual Health Terms
| German | Meaning |
|---|---|
| PrEP (Prä-Expositions-Prophylaxe) | Pre-exposure prophylaxis (HIV prevention) |
| PEP (Post-Expositions-Prophylaxe) | Post-exposure prophylaxis (emergency HIV prevention) |
| HIV-Test | HIV test |
| Antikörpertest | Antibody test |
| Antigen-Test | Antigen test (4th generation, detects HIV faster) |
| Gonorrhoe | Gonorrhoea |
| Chlamydien | Chlamydia |
| Syphilis | Syphilis |
| Tripper | Gonorrhoea (colloquial) |
| Feigwarzen | Genital warts (HPV) |
| Hepatitis | Hepatitis |
| Indikationsimpfung | Indicated vaccine (covered by GKV for risk groups) |
| Standardimpfung | Standard vaccine (covered for everyone) |
Useful Phrases
Booking an appointment:
"Ich möchte einen Termin beim Schwerpunktarzt machen." "I'd like to make an appointment with an HIV specialist."
Requesting a referral:
"Ich brauche eine Überweisung zum Schwerpunktarzt für HIV-Medizin." "I need a referral to an HIV specialist."
Asking for PrEP:
"Ich möchte PrEP beantragen." "I'd like to apply for PrEP."
Requesting three-site testing:
"Ich möchte einen vollständigen STI-Test mit Rachen-, Rektal- und Harnröhrenabstrich." "I'd like a complete STI test with throat, rectal, and urethral swabs."
Requesting an urgent appointment:
"Gibt es eine Akutsprechstunde? Ich glaube, ich hatte ein Expositionsrisiko." "Is there an urgent appointment slot? I think I had an exposure risk."
At the emergency department for PEP:
"Ich hatte möglicherweise eine HIV-Exposition und benötige PEP. Das war vor [X] Stunden." "I may have been exposed to HIV and need PEP. It was [X] hours ago."
Asking about vaccine coverage:
"Bin ich als schwuler Mann mit wechselnden Partnern für Impfungen als Indikationsimpfung berechtigt?" "As a gay man with multiple partners, am I entitled to vaccines as indicated vaccines?"
If you're on a waiting list:
"Ich bin auf der Warteliste. Können Sie mich informieren, wenn ein Termin frei wird?" "I'm on the waiting list. Can you let me know when an appointment becomes available?"
Emergency Numbers
| Service | Number |
|---|---|
| Emergency (all services) | 112 |
| Police | 110 |
| Aidshilfe Hotline | 0800 44 66 77 (free, 24/7) |
| Telefonseelsorge (crisis line) | 0800 111 0 111 (free, 24/7) |