Page 33 - 78 glossary of hivaids-related terms_opt

Comorbid Condition
Any disease or condition that occurs at the same time as another
disease or condition. The second disease may worsen or be
worsened by the initial disease. For example, tuberculosis (TB) may C
occur as a comorbid condition in an individual infected with HIV, and
the HIV infection may worsen the TB.

Compassionate Use
General term used to describe any program that provides an
experimental therapy outside of clinical trials to patients who do
not have any FDA-approved treatment options (for example,
HIV-infected individuals who have extensive drug resistance to
approved anti-HIV drugs). To enroll in compassionate use programs,
an individual has to meet strict medical criteria.
See Also: Expanded Access
Investigational Drug

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)
Health care practices not currently considered part of conventional
medicine. A therapy is called complementary when it is used in
addition to conventional treatments. It is called alternative when
it is used instead of conventional treatment. CAM includes a
broad range of healing therapies, approaches, and systems.
Some examples of CAM are acupuncture, herbs, homeopathy,
chiropractic, hypnosis, and traditional Chinese medicine.

Complete Blood Count (CBC)
A general blood test that measures the levels of white and red blood
cells, platelets, hematocrit, and hemoglobin in a sample of blood.
Changes in the amounts of each of these may indicate infection,
anemia, or other health problems.

HIV/AIDS Glossary 31