Noticias

First of all: Why is it so important to consider the proper use of these terms? Some may say that they are just words, but the reality is that language can be a starting point on the road to deconstruct many myths and prejudices. That is why it is so important.

 

This exercise is not made out of nothing, nor from the whim of a few; it is a guide of recommended terms - underlined by organizations like the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV / AIDS - UNAIDS - and especially helpful in the responsible and clear communication of the subject.

 

The basic exercise will be:
- How it is NOT said.
- How it is said.
- The reason we call it that way.

 

Let’s begin:

 

How it is NOT said: "Sida" (when referring to HIV) or AIDS virus
How it is said: "HIV" (when referring to HIV)
Why:
HIV and AIDS are different things: One is the virus and the other, the syndrome, i.e., the set of diseases and opportunistic infections generated in the last stage of HIV, when due to this body is in a state immunosuppressive (basically without adequate defenses or without defenses at all). Therefore, there is no "AIDS virus". People with HIV following an antiretroviral treatment today achieved an undetectable viral load, making it impossible to develop AIDS.

 

How it is NOT said: "He died of AIDS"
How it is said: "he died of an opportunistic disease"
Why:
AIDS does not kill. AIDS creates the conditions for other illnesses (like the flu) that would normally be manageable, taking advantage of the lack of defenses and becoming deadly. These are called "opportunistic infections".

 

How it is NOT said: “Patient with HIV/AIDS; HIV or AIDS virus carrier; AIDS victim; person suffering from AIDS”
How it is said: "Person living with HIV"
Why:
Let’s go step by step on this. The term "patient" should only be used in the clinical setting.
The case of the term "carrier" is the most complicated because it is more widely used: While it is commonly used in other diseases or conditions, HIV is a special case itself. Not only is it an epidemic. It is a social disease. As such, the burden of stigma is very important part of the question, as well as medical treatment.
Because of this, the word "carrier" has a double negative connotation: For those who live with the virus, it is as if carrying a cross; and for society as a whole, as if the HIV status of a person outside a latent danger, as a weapon. The same applies to the meanings "suffering" or "victim". Both evoke a negative feeling. Therefore, we recommend the use of "person living with HIV" (PLWHIV). "AIDS" should only be used in case of public clinical diagnosis of such.

 

How it is NOT said: "Groups of high/higher risk; vulnerable"
How it is said: "key populations at higher risk"
Why:
Both populations are key to understanding the dynamics of the epidemic as the answer to it. Key populations are distinct from vulnerable, which are related to a lot of factors of socio-economic nature which exposes them to various infections, and HIV.

 

How it is NOT said: "Fight AIDS"
How it is said: "Response to HIV/AIDS"
Why:
Efforts are not to fight the disease, but to give the whole complex problem which means, beyond the purely health sector responses.

 

These answers are intended to not only eradicate AIDS, but addressing inequalities and bottom edges. Today, on the International Day of Responses to HIV-AIDS, it is a great opportunity to take into account these recommendations and, from the language, help remove the stigma, communicating responsibly on the topic in order to promote respect and dignity of all people.

 

Language is not only the limit of our world, it is also a powerful tool to begin to change it.