In medical terms, c/o means “complains of.” It is a common abbreviation used by doctors, nurses, and healthcare professionals to document a patient’s reported symptoms in medical notes, charts, and records.
If you’ve ever looked at a doctor’s prescription, hospital discharge summary, or clinical note and wondered,
“What does c/o mean in medical terms?”
you’re not alone.
This tiny abbreviation shows up everywhere in healthcare documentation. It’s short, efficient, and widely understood among medical professionals, yet confusing for patients reading their own records. Understanding c/o can help you better interpret medical notes, communicate with doctors more confidently, and avoid unnecessary worry.
In this in depth guide, we’ll break down what c/o means, where it comes from, how it’s used in real medical settings, and how it compares to similar abbreviations using clear explanations, examples, tables, and practical tips along the way.
What Does C/O Mean in Medical Terms?
C/O = Complains Of
In medical documentation, c/o is used to describe what the patient says they are experiencing, not what the doctor has diagnosed.
🔍 Key Point to Remember
- c/o reflects the patient’s subjective complaint
- It is not a confirmed medical condition
- It’s usually recorded before examination or testing
Origin and Background of “C/O” in Medicine
Where Did It Come From?
The abbreviation c/o comes from traditional medical shorthand. Doctors have long used abbreviations to save time while writing notes especially during patient rounds or emergency care.
- Derived from the phrase “complains of”
- Became standard in SOAP notes and clinical documentation
- Still widely used despite the rise of electronic health records (EHRs)
Why Is It So Popular?
✔ Saves time
✔ Universally recognized in healthcare
✔ Clearly separates patient-reported symptoms from clinical findings
How C/O Is Used in Real Medical Practice
Typical Placement in Medical Notes
You’ll usually find c/o in sections like:
- Chief Complaint (CC)
- History of Present Illness (HPI)
- Triage notes
- Emergency room records
Basic Structure
Patient + c/o + symptom
Examples:
- Patient c/o chest pain
- Pt c/o headache since morning
- Patient c/o nausea and dizziness
Example Table: C/O in Medical Context
| Medical Note Example | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Pt c/o fever | Patient reports having a fever |
| Patient c/o SOB | Patient complains of shortness of breath |
| Pt c/o abd pain | Patient reports abdominal pain |
| Patient c/o fatigue x 3 days | Fatigue reported for three days |
| Pt c/o no pain | Patient reports no pain |
Tone & Context: Is “C/O” Neutral, Negative, or Dismissive?
Neutral and Clinical Tone (Most Common)
In medical records, c/o is neutral, factual, and professional.
✔ No judgment
✔ No emotional tone
✔ Purely descriptive
Can It Sound Dismissive to Patients? 🤔
Outside medical settings, some patients feel “complains of” sounds negative. However:
- Clinically, it has no negative intent
- It simply distinguishes patient-reported symptoms from objective findings
Friendly Translation for Patients
Instead of reading it as complaining, think of it as:
“Patient reports experiencing…”
C/O vs Similar Medical Abbreviations
Understanding related terms helps clarify how doctors think and document.
Comparison Table
| Term | Meaning | Used For |
|---|---|---|
| c/o | Complains of | Patient’s symptoms |
| dx | Diagnosis | Confirmed condition |
| hx | History | Past medical information |
| sx | Symptoms | General symptom reference |
| px | Prognosis | Expected outcome |
| r/o | Rule out | Condition being investigated |
Key Difference
- c/o = subjective
- dx = objective/confirmed
Examples of C/O in Different Contexts
1. Friendly / Casual Clinical Context 🙂
“Pt c/o mild headache after work.”
2. Neutral / Standard Medical Record
“Patient c/o lower back pain radiating to legs.”
3. Serious or Urgent Context 🚨
“Patient c/o sudden chest pain and shortness of breath.”
⚠️ Remember: seriousness depends on symptom, not the abbreviation.
Common Medical Phrases Using C/O
- C/O pain
- C/O fever
- C/O nausea/vomiting
- C/O dizziness
- C/O chest tightness
These phrases help clinicians quickly understand why the patient sought care.
Alternate Meanings of C/O Outside Medicine
Although this article focuses on medical usage, c/o has other meanings depending on context.
Non-Medical Meanings
- Care of (mailing addresses)
- Example: John Smith, c/o ABC Company
👉 In healthcare documents, c/o almost always means “complains of.”
Polite or Professional Alternatives to “C/O”
In patient-facing documents or conversations, healthcare providers may prefer softer language.
Common Alternatives
- Reports
- States
- Presents with
- Experiencing
Example Comparison
- Patient c/o headache
- Patient reports headache
- Patient presents with headache
All mean essentially the same thing—but tone differs.
Why Understanding C/O Matters for Patients
Knowing what c/o means helps you:
✔ Read your medical records confidently
✔ Avoid unnecessary stress
✔ Communicate better with healthcare providers
✔ Ask informed questions during appointments
FAQs
What does c/o mean in medical diagnosis?
It means “complains of” and refers to symptoms reported by the patient—not the diagnosis.
Is c/o a confirmed medical condition?
No. It only documents what the patient says they feel.
Is c/o negative or disrespectful?
No. It’s a neutral clinical term with no judgment attached.
What’s the difference between c/o and diagnosis?
- c/o = patient-reported symptoms
- Diagnosis = doctor’s confirmed medical conclusion
Do nurses and doctors both use c/o?
Yes. It’s standard across most healthcare roles.
Is c/o still used in modern electronic records?
Yes, although some systems now prefer full phrases like “reports”.
Can patients use c/o themselves?
Patients usually don’t use it in conversation, but may see it in records.
What does “Pt c/o” mean?
It means “Patient complains of.”
Conclusion
- C/O means “complains of” in medical language
- It documents patient-reported symptoms
- It is neutral, professional, and widely used
- It is not a diagnosis or judgment
- Understanding it empowers patients and improves communication
Once you know what c/o stands for, medical notes become far less intimidating and a lot more transparent.
Olivia Brooks is a skilled writer at ValneTix.com dedicated to making word meanings simple, practical and relatable. Her clear explanations empower readers to use language effectively and confidently.
