Language matters
The words we use matter in the HIV response
At the IAS, we actively use people-first language because words have power. They can bestow or remove dignity, build or break stigma, and divide or unite the HIV response.
Through the words we choose, we recognize that a person is more than a condition and we promote inclusivity, dialogue and equality. Join us!
This means avoiding such labels as “infected”. Using people-first language means putting people before their condition, for example, “an infant exposed to HIV” rather than “an HIV-exposed infant”.
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use: people or person living with HIV; person or people with TB; person or people living with HIV and TB; healthcare seekers or clients. refer to: HIV acquisitions; acquired HIV: HIV transmission; HIV diagnoses. |
label people as: HIV-infected; infected; co-infected; cases; carriers; victims; patients; sufferers. use any variation of "infected": HIV infections; infected with HIV; infect with HIV. |
spell out the names of key populations:
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use acronyms for key and vulnerable populations. |
talk of the response to HIV and ending the HIV pandemic as a public health threat. |
use war talk for HIV (the war on HIV; the fight against HIV). |
Do…
Don't...For more information, please consult the UNAIDS Terminology Guidelines and People First Charter.