Glossary

lymph node – small bodies in the lymphatic system, particularly at the neck, armpit, and groin, that filter bacteria and foreign particles. During infection, lymph nodes may become swollen with white blood cells (lymphocytes) fighting the infection.

Cardiovascular refers to the heart and blood vessels.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the general term for disease to the heart and related blood vessels.

antiretrovirals – the common name for any HIV drugs. HIV is a retrovirus, so drugs to fight HIV are called antiretrovirals. Also abbreviated to ARVs.

symptom – a sign of illness.

Compassionate use programmes enable people with life-threatening, long-lasting or seriously disabling illnesses to use drugs that have not yet been authorised. This is usually only for drugs that are near to drug approval, especially for people who would be excluded from research studies.

This is similar to, and sometimes called, a named-patient programme.

Information on compassionate access in the EU.