PCV
Abbreviation with 2 meanings
| Stands for | Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine |
|---|---|
| Meanings | 2 |
| Categories | Medical, Transportation & Travel |
PCV has two meanings. It stands for Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (pediatric & neonatal) or Positive crankcase ventilation (automotive).
Meanings of PCV at a glance
| # | PCV stands for | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine | Medical › Pediatric & Neonatal |
| 2 | Positive crankcase ventilation | Transportation & Travel › Automotive |
1. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine
Medical · Pediatric & Neonatal Abbreviations
Vaccine against Streptococcus pneumoniae given to infants at 2, 4 and 6 months with a booster at 12–15 months, and to older adults. Numbers indicate how many serotypes are covered, such as PCV13, PCV15 and PCV20.
Example: PCV20 dose 1 given at 2 months with routine vaccines.
The first pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) was introduced in the US in 2000 and sharply reduced invasive pneumococcal disease in children, with additional protection for unvaccinated adults through herd immunity. Conjugation to a carrier protein makes the vaccine effective in infants, unlike older polysaccharide vaccines. In hematology PCV means packed cell volume.
2. Positive crankcase ventilation
Transportation & Travel · Automotive Abbreviations
Emissions system that draws gases that leak past the piston rings (blow-by) out of the crankcase and back into the intake to be burned, rather than venting them to the air. A clogged PCV valve can cause oil leaks and sludge.
Example: A $10 PCV valve fixed the oil seeping from the valve cover gasket.
PCV was the first vehicle emissions control device, required on new cars in California in 1961 and nationwide soon after. Before that, engines vented crankcase fumes through a "road draft tube" directly into the atmosphere. Turbocharged and direct-injection engines often add oil catch cans to supplement PCV systems.
Related abbreviations
More pediatric & neonatal abbreviations
- NBS – Newborn screening
- NEC – Necrotizing enterocolitis
- NOWS – Neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome
- OFC – Occipitofrontal circumference
- PKU – Phenylketonuria
- PPHN – Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn
- PVL – Periventricular leukomalacia
- ROP – Retinopathy of prematurity
See all 51 pediatric & neonatal abbreviations →
More automotive abbreviations
- OHV – Off-highway vehicle
- OTA – Over-the-air updates
- OTD – Out-the-door price
- PCM – Powertrain control module
- PDK – Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (Porsche dual-clutch transmission)
- PHEV – Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle
- PPI – Pre-purchase inspection
- PTO – Power take-off
See all 116 automotive abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.