HIV/AIDS Preferred Language Guide - UNTIL THERE'S A CURE

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Preferred Language

Why is it important to use preferred language?

Language regarding HIV can either empower or stigmatize a person living with HIV. Although a term may be correct or clinically accurate, it can also negatively impact a person's self-worth and confidence. Over the years, there have been growing concerns with the stigma attached to these terms. It is important to use preferred language in order empower people living with HIV and reduce stigma around HIV.

The provided guide (below) was created for and by 'People Living with HIV' in order to address stigma related to HIV/AIDS.

HIV/AIDS Preferred Language Guide

Stigmatizing

HIV infected person
HIV or AIDS patient
AIDS or HIV Carrier
Positives or HIVers

Died of AIDS
To die of AIDS

 AIDS virus

Full-blown AIDS

Preferred

Person living with HIV, PLHIV. Do not use "infected" when referring to a person.
Use People First Language, which empha- sizes the person, not their diagnosis.

Died of AIDS-related illness
Died of AIDS-related compli-cations or end of stage HIV

HIV (AIDS is a diagnosis not a virus - it cannot be transmitted)

There is no medical definition for this phrase - simply use the term AIDS or Stage 3 HIV

Stigmatizing

HIV virus

Zero new infections

HIV infections

HIV infected

Number of infections

End HIV
End AIDS

Preferred

This is redundant; use "HIV".

Zero new HIV acquisitions or transmissions

HIV transmissions
diagnosed with HIV/PLHIV

living or diagnosed with HIV
contracted acquired HIV

number diagnosed with HIV
number of HIV acquisitions

End HIV transmission
Be specific: are we ending HIV or AIDS?

Stigmatizing

Became infected

HIV -exposed infant

Serodi-scordant couple

Mother to child transmission

Preferred

Contracted
acquired
diagnosed with

Infant exposed to HIV

serodifferent couple
magnetic couple
mixed status couple

vertical transmission
perinatal transmission

Stigmatizing

Victim
Innocent Victim
Sufferer
Contaminated
Infected

AIDS orphans

To catch AIDS
To contract AIDS
To transmit AIDS
To catch HIV

Preferred

Person living with HIV
survivor
warrior
Do not use "infected" when referring to a person

children orphaned by loss of parents
guardians who died of AIDS related complications

an AIDS diagnosis
developed AIDS
to contract HIV
AIDS is a diagnosis, which cannot be passed from one person to the next

Stigmatizing

Compliant

prostitute
prostitution

Promiscuous

Unprotected sex

Preferred

Adherent

Sex worker
sale of sexual services
transactional sex

This a value judgement & should be avoided
instead use this phrase "having multiple partners"

condomless sex with PrEP
condomless sex without PrEP
sex not protected by condoms
sex not protected by antiretroviral prevention methods

Stigmatizing

Death Sentence
Fatal condition
Life-threatening condition

"tainted" blood
"dirty" needles

Clean, as in "I am clean are you?"

"a drug that prevents HIV infection"

Preferred

A serious health issue
Chronic health condition
manageable health for people who have access to care and treatment

blood containing HIV
shared needles
shared syringes

Referring to yourself or others as being "clean" suggestions that those living with HIV are dirty. Avoid!

a drug that prevents
transmission of HIV

The information in this guide was developed and gathered by the following organizations:

The Well Project

Community Health

Rutgers Francois-Xavier Bagnoud Center