English is widely spoken at LIC, Testpunkts/Mozaika, and in Riga generally. Russian is also widely understood throughout Latvia. Latvian terms are useful for paperwork, signs, and interactions in settings where English isn't available.
The Health System
| Purpose | Latvian Term | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Nacionālais veselības dienests. | NVD | National Health Service. Covers Latvian residents. |
| Health insurance. | Veselības apdrošināšana | State coverage for residents. |
| EU citizens can use their European Health Insurance Card for emergency care in Latvia at NVD rates. | EHIC | |
| Family doctor / GP. | Ģimenes ārsts | Issues referrals (nosūtījumi) to specialists. |
| Referral. | Nosūtījums | Needed to access specialist care under the NVD without private fees. |
| Infectious disease specialist. | Infektologs | Who prescribes PrEP and manages HIV treatment at LIC. |
| Pharmacy. | Aptieka | Where you collect prescriptions. |
| Prescription. | Recepte | |
| Private clinic. | Privāta klīnika |
Appointments
| Purpose | Latvian Term |
|---|---|
| To make an appointment | Pierakstīties |
| Visit / Consultation | Vizīte / Konsultācija |
| Waiting room | Uzgaidāmā telpa |
| Referral | Nosūtījums |
| Prescription | Recepte |
| Medical history | Slimības vēsture |
Sexual Health and Testing
| Purpose | Latvian Term |
|---|---|
| Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) | Seksuāli transmisīvās slimības (STS) |
| HIV / HIV test | HIV / HIV tests |
| Anonymous testing cabinet | Anonimsā kabinete |
| Swab | Uztriepe |
| Throat swab | Rīkles uztriepe |
| Rectal swab | Taisnās zarnas uztriepe |
| Urethral swab | Urētra uztriepe |
| Blood test | Asins analīze |
| Urine test | Urīna analīze |
| Results | Rezultāti |
| Positive / Negative | Pozitīvs / Negatīvs |
HIV, PrEP, PEP
| Purpose | Latvian Term |
|---|---|
| PrEP | PrEP (Pre-ekspozīcijas profilakse) |
| PEP | PEP (Post-ekspozīcijas profilakse) |
| HIV positive / negative | HIV pozitīvs / negatīvs |
| Undetectable | Neatklājams |
| Viral load | Vīrusu slodze |
| CD4 cells | CD4 šūnas |
| Antiretroviral therapy | Antiretrovīrusu terapija (ART) |
| Infectious diseases centre (LIC) | Infektoloģijas centrs |
Key Phrases
| Purpose | Latvian Term |
|---|---|
| Do you speak English? | Vai jūs runājat angliski? |
| Full STI screen — throat, rectal, and urethral swabs | Lūdzu, rīkles, taisnās zarnas un urētra uztriepes, papildus asins analīzēm. |
| Anonymous HIV test | Es gribu anonīmu HIV pārbaudi. |
| I'm on PrEP — need my three-month monitoring | Es lietoju PrEP un man nepieciešama trīs mēnešu kontrole. |
| I want to start PrEP | Es gribu sākt PrEP. |
| HIV exposure — I need PEP — within 72 hours | Man bija HIV risks. Man vajag profilaksi pēc ekspozīcijas — PEP. Tas bija mazāk nekā 72 stundas atpakaļ. |
| I am a private patient | Esmu privātais pacients. |
| I have an EHIC card | Man ir EHIC karte. |
| I need help | Man vajag palīdzību! |
| Call an ambulance | Izsauciet ātro palīdzību! |
| I'm in pain | Man sāp. |
Emergency Numbers
| Service | Number |
|---|---|
| Emergency (all services) | 112 |
| Ambulance (Neatliekamā medicīniskā palīdzība) | 03 |
| Police | 02 |
| Fire | 01 |
Signs: Uzņemšanas nodaļa / Uzņemšana (emergency admission), Neatliekamā palīdzība (emergency help).