Lithuanian is a challenging language for newcomers, but English is widely spoken in Vilnius and at Santaros Klinikos, Demetra, and LGL. You can navigate most situations in English at these services. Having a few key phrases and terms helps when you're in a less familiar setting.
The Health System
| Purpose | Lithuanian Term | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Health insurance. | Draudimas / Sveikatos draudimas | Lithuanian residents are covered by the national system (Valstybinė ligonių kasa — VLK). Required for reimbursed services. |
| EU citizens can use their European Health Insurance Card for emergency and medically necessary care in Lithuania at state rates. | EHIC | |
| Family doctor / GP. | Šeimos gydytojas | Your first point of contact in the public system. Issues referrals (siutimai) to specialists. |
| Referral. | Siuntimas | Needed to see a specialist under the public system without a private fee. |
| Infectious disease specialist. | Infektologas | The doctor who prescribes PrEP and manages HIV treatment. |
| Pharmacy. | Vaistinė | Where you collect prescriptions. |
| Prescription. | Receptas | |
| Private clinic. | Privati klinika | No referral needed; you pay directly. |
Appointments
| Purpose | Lithuanian Term |
|---|---|
| To register / make an appointment | Registruotis |
| Visit / Consultation | Vizitas / Konsultacija |
| Waiting room | Laukiamasis |
| Referral | Siuntimas |
| Prescription | Receptas |
| Medical history | Ligos istorija |
Sexual Health and Testing
| Purpose | Lithuanian Term |
|---|---|
| Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) | Lytiškai plintančios ligos (LPL) |
| HIV | ŽIV / HIV |
| HIV test | ŽIV testas |
| Anonymous testing | Anoniminiai tyrimai |
| Swab | Tepinėlis |
| Throat swab | Tepinėlis iš gerklės |
| Rectal swab | Tepinėlis iš tiesiosios žarnos |
| Urethral swab | Tepinėlis iš šlaplės |
| Blood test | Kraujo tyrimas |
| Urine test | Šlapimo tyrimas |
| Results | Rezultatai |
| Positive / Negative | Teigiamas / Neigiamas |
HIV, PrEP, and PEP
| Purpose | Lithuanian Term |
|---|---|
| PrEP | PrEP (Pre-ekspozicijos profilaktika) |
| PEP | PEP (Post-ekspozicijos profilaktika) |
| HIV positive / negative | ŽIV teigiamas / neigiamas |
| Undetectable viral load | Neaptinkamas virusas |
| Viral load | Virusinė apkrova |
| CD4 cells | CD4 ląstelės |
| Antiretroviral therapy | Antiretrovirusinė terapija (ART) |
| Infectious diseases centre | Infektologijos centras |
Key Phrases
| Purpose | Lithuanian Term |
|---|---|
| Do you speak English? | Kalbate angliškai? |
| Full STI screen — throat, rectal, and urethral swabs | Norėčiau pilno LPL patikrinimo — tepinėlius iš gerklės, tiesiosios žarnos ir šlaplės, taip pat kraujo tyrimą. |
| Anonymous HIV test | Noriu anoniminių tyrimų — ŽIV testas. |
| I'm on PrEP — need my three-month monitoring | Vartoju PrEP ir man reikia trijų mėnesių kontrolės. |
| I want to start PrEP | Noriu pradėti PrEP. |
| HIV exposure — I need PEP — within 72 hours | Turėjau riziką užsikrėsti ŽIV. Man reikia profilaktikos po ekspozicijos (PEP). Praėjo mažiau nei 72 valandos. |
| I am a private patient | Esu privatus pacientas. |
| I have an EHIC card | Turiu EHIC kortelę. |
| I need help | Man reikia pagalbos! |
| Call an ambulance | Iškvieskite greitąją pagalbą! |
| I'm in pain | Man skauda. |
Emergency Numbers
| Service | Number |
|---|---|
| Emergency (all services) | 112 |
| Ambulance (Greitoji pagalba) | 03 |
| Police | 02 |
For PEP, go to Priėmimo skyrius (emergency reception) at Santariškių g. 14.