HIV and AIDS
Last updatedDefinition
AIDS, an acronym for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, is a set of illnesses and symptoms that is the last stage of an HIV infection. HIV, an acronym for human immunodeficiency virus, affects between 30 million and 45 million people globally, by some estimates. When describing a person with HIV or AIDS, “person with [HIV or AIDS],” “person living with [HIV or AIDS],” or “person who is HIV-positive” is straightforward; following the person’s preferred terminology whenever possible aligns your framing with their lived experience.
While the term “HIV/AIDS” is still used in some contexts such as medical or government publications, HIV and AIDS are not the same thing (and most people who are HIV-positive do not have AIDS), so the phrasing may be best avoided outside of direct quotes for greater clarity. The use of phrasing such as “HIV/AIDS prevention” can be especially misleading, as HIV and AIDS are prevented through different means. The phrasing “sexually transmitted infection” (STI) is more accurate in many cases than “sexually transmitted disease.” The term “venereal disease” is considered outdated and can be stigmatizing.
Historically, people with HIV or AIDS have faced stigma and discrimination, often linked to their identity or assumed identity as a man who has sex with other men or a person who uses injectable substances. Those within these groups are not the only people at risk for HIV.
While these are serious conditions, available medical treatments can provide major quality of life and life expectancy improvements. Current treatments for HIV can result in an undetectable viral load, which means that there is virtually no risk of transmission to an HIV-negative partner during sex; preventive measures such as PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) also help avoid transmission. Thus, portraying an HIV diagnosis as a “death sentence” is inaccurate and stigmatizing.
Disclosing an HIV or AIDS status can have major repercussions for a person’s life. As with disclosing any health condition, it’s important to consider whether it’s relevant and necessary to coverage, and to confirm with someone whether they are comfortable having their status written about publicly. It should not always be necessary to describe a person as being HIV-positive, even if covering a public figure who has historically been open about their HIV status, unless directly relevant to the story. Careful media coverage can help demystify and destigmatize HIV and AIDS, and may encourage people to seek testing and treatment.
Additional resources
- HIV & AIDS Glossary (Avert)
- UNAIDS Terminology Guidelines (UNAIDS)
- A Guide to Talking About HIV (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- The HIV/AIDS Epidemic in the United States: The Basics (Kaiser Family Foundation)
- Reporting Manual on HIV/AIDS (Kaiser Family Foundation)
Summary
People with HIV or AIDS have long faced stigmas and discrimination. When describing a person with HIV or AIDS, “person with [HIV or AIDS],” “person living with [HIV or AIDS],” or “person who is HIV-positive” is straightforward; following the person’s preferred terminology whenever possible aligns your framing with their lived experience. Disclosing an HIV or AIDS status can have major repercussions for a person’s life. As with disclosing any health condition, it’s important to consider whether it’s relevant and necessary to coverage, and to confirm with someone whether they are comfortable having their status written about publicly.