Retiring the term AIDS for more descriptive language.
Lancet HIV
; 11(3): e195-e198, 2024 Mar.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38417978
ABSTRACT
The term acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) was coined to describe a condition marked by weakened cell-mediated immunity in the absence of a clear cause. Due to unfortunate messaging during the early days of the HIV epidemic, this term became loaded with stigma. After the discovery of HIV, the term AIDS became redundant, but its use has persisted and has come to embody negative connotations in the current landscape of the HIV epidemic. People commonly associate AIDS with a terminal illness. This misconception promotes stigma by others, including health-care workers, but also self-stigma, which can prevent individuals from accessing health care. Also, the link between AIDS and gay men generated during the early epidemic with use of the term gay-related immune disorder is misleading regarding which populations are at risk, which can delay diagnosis. The use of the term AIDS is now discouraged by several professional associations, some of which ironically have the word as part of their name. Ending use of the term AIDS would not eradicate stigma. However, this term has outlasted its usefulness, and we should transition towards more descriptive language that aligns with contemporary challenges in HIV.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
HIV Infections
/
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
Limits:
Humans
/
Male
Language:
En
Journal:
Lancet HIV
Year:
2024
Type:
Article