| INSENSITIVE LANGUAGE |
WHY |
ALTERNATIVES |
| AIDS/ HIV carrier |
This is a stigmatizing term, which focuses on an individual as a carrier of disease. It is important to emphasize that HIV is an infection that can be managed and lived with, rather than focusing on the status of the individual. |
HIV-positive, Person/ man/ woman living with HIV (PLHIV) |
| AIDS Orphan |
This term may stigmatize the child and the child’s condition and may also be misinterpreted to mean that the child is HIV-positive. The child may not be HIV positive but may have lost one or both parents due to HIV. |
Orphans, Children affected by HIV |
| AIDS sufferers/victims |
These words evoke images of helplessness and weakness. |
People living with
HIV (PLHIV) |
| AIDS test |
The test determines the presence of HIV antibodies; therefore it tests for HIV infection, not AIDS. The progression to AIDS is the last stage of HIV. |
HIV (antibody) test |
| AIDS virus |
The correct name of the virus is HIV. AIDS is a syndrome caused by HIV. |
HIV, the virus that could eventually leads to AIDS |
| Body fluids |
This phrase is very broad and can refer to a range of body fluids, not all of which can transmit HIV. It is always better to be specific. |
Specify the fluids (e.g., blood, semen) |
| “Catch AIDS” |
HIV is transmitted (eg Sexually; mother-to-child, via blood), and then can lead eventually to the development of AIDS. Unlike contagious diseases, HIV cannot be “caught”.
Clarification: HIV is not a contagious disease, ie it cannot be transmitted through casual contact (eg Sneezing, coughing, saliva). |
Become HIV-positive |
| “Died of AIDS” |
While this is frequently used, AIDS is actually a syndrome that can be defined by many different diseases. HIV gradually weakens a person’s immune system and leads to one or more of many illnesses (opportunistic infections), which signal the progression to AIDS. These illnesses are the eventual cause of death. |
“Died of an HIV-related illness” |
| Drugs for AIDS |
This may be misinterpreted as meaning that there are cures for HIV and/or AIDS. It is important to clarify that while there are drugs to treat the symptoms, prevent and treat opportunistic infections and slow the progression of the disease, they cannot completely rid the body of the virus. |
Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART), AIDS-related drugs, Drugs to prevent and treat opportunistic infections (OI) |
| Full-blown AIDS |
This is an older slang term that is rarely used anymore. Progression to AIDS is one stage of HIV . |
AIDS |
| Gay/ homosexual/ bisexual |
These terms, particularly gay and bisexual, refer to an identity that may or may not be tied to a behavior. In many countries and cultures, men who have sex with other men may not perceive themselves as gay, bisexual, or homosexual. It is important to distinguish between behavior (which can place an individual at increased risk of transmitting and acquiring HIV) and sexual identity, particularly when talking about HIV transmission. |
Men who have sex
with men (MSM) |
| HIV-infected person |
“HIV-positive” is preferable to “HIV-infected,” as the latter term places emphasis on the infection, rather than the individual living with it. |
People Living with HIV
( PLHIV),
HIV-positive |
| HIV virus |
This term is redundant. HIV stands for “Human Immunodeficiency Virus” |
HIV |
| Innocent (victim), Guilty |
This infers that certain modes of transmission are worse than others and that some HIV-positive individuals deserve their status. |
Omit the word |
| Promiscuous |
This term is based on the perception of an individual’s behavior. It places a negative connotation on an individual who may look a certain way, have or be perceived to have more than one sexual partner and does not accurately reflect the social context of transmission. For example, an individual may be in a polygamous marriage, which is socially and religiously acceptable in many societies. It is important not to use language that judges others behaviors or is based on misconceptions or stereotypes. |
This is a value judgment that should be avoided |
| Prostitute |
This term has a negative connotation. It does not accurately describe situations in which women may be forced into exchanging sex for money or food due to gender inequality and lack of alternative economic opportunity. |
Sex worker |
| Risk group vs. Risk behavior |
The phrase “risk group” may be interpreted as referring to the only people who are at-risk of contracting HIV. Individuals who do not belong to these groups may gain a false sense of security from infection.
Additionally, individuals in a “risk group” may not practice risky behavior. An example of this is an injection drug user who uses clean needles that are not shared. |
Risky behavior |
| Safe sex |
There is always an inherent risk when having sex. |
Safer sex |
| Scourge, plague, Dreaded disease |
These words are overly dramatic and over used. They also may imply judgment and it may be better to substitute with less dramatic language such as medical terms. |
Disease, Epidemic, Illness and infection |
| Sufferer, Victim |
These terms imply passiveness and helplessness. |
Avoid using these terms |
| Suspected (of having HIV), admitted (to having HIV) |
These terms may foster stigma because they imply secrecy. |
Avoid using these terms |
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