Language does matter: UNAIDS Terminology Guidelines

In particular the terms "HIV and AIDS" and "HIV/AIDS" are misleading and should not be used. HIV is a virus and therefore there might be an HIV infection, HIV prevention and HIV testing, but not “AIDS virus” or “HIV/AIDS virus” or “HIV/AIDS prevention”.


Below is a short list of terminology that should and should not be used. The whole manual can be downloaded here

Old Use

HIV and AIDS 
HIV/AIDS epidemic 
HIV/AIDS prevalence 
HIV/AIDS prevention 
HIV/AIDS testing
People living with HIV/AIDS 

Preferred terminology

AIDS unless specifically referring to HIV
AIDS epidemic
HIV prevalence
HIV prevention
HIV testing
People living with HIV

Quotes of the Month

Seeing the police members at the welcoming event together with sex workers activists and supporters, hearing the fact that 90% of reported cases between 2005 -2009 are solved and perpetrators are convicted, and that rape rate over the last year was 40%, was a real inspiration and hope that in a period of time, trough a committed work we can get there too..
--- Marija Tosheva (HOPS, Macedonia) about IHRA-2010, Liverpool.

Picture of the Month

STAR team at their office opening, Macedonia, 2011

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OSI Public Health Program