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

SWAN-TV

SWAN TV ARCHIVE »

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.