Open for Registration
In-Person
Kigali
HIV
17th International Workshop on Pediatrics & HIV 2025
11 - 12 July 2025
Person-First Language
Language matters — the use of positive and inclusive language is a vital tool in tackling stigma and discrimination.
We are proud to support and officially endorse the People First Charter!
Person-first language simply puts people before their condition, recognizing that people are people, and are not defined by their condition.
In HIV care, we should avoid terms like 'HIV-infected people' and use 'people living with HIV'.
As a participant, faculty member, or abstract presenter at one of our programs, we encourage you to consult these guidelines as you prepare program-related materials.
Video Tutorial
As part of our participation, we would like to encourage you to view this tutorial video, featuring Dr. Laura Waters, and draw your attention to the following guidelines.
Format Rules for Person-First Language
Using person-first language helps ensure respectful, inclusive, and non-stigmatizing communication. This approach emphasizes the individual rather than defining them by a condition, behavior, or identity. Below are guidelines and examples to support consistent use of person-first language across our content.
Note: Avoid simplifications (example, use “people living with HIV” over PLWH)
Examples of person-first terms:
- Person
- People
- Individual(s)
- Infant(s)
- Adult(s)
- Adolescent(s)
- Children
- Elderly people
- Men
- Women
- etc
Use with conditions like:
- (living) with ____
- who is ____
- diagnosed with ____
- who have ____
- with a(n) ____
- who use ____
Common Person-First Language Examples
Use
Men who have sex with other men
People who are symptomatic of _____
People with HIV/People living with HIV
People with AIDS
People who have condomless sex with PrEP, Condomless sex without PrEP
People who have sex without barriers
People who have died of AIDS-related illness/AIDS-related complications/end-stage HIV
People living with HIV
People who have been exposed to HIV
People living within closed systems
Stage 3 HIV
Adherent
Vertical transmission/perinatal transmission
Blood containing HIV
Underreported/Underrepresented/Understudied populations
Transgender man/men
Transgender woman/women
People who have tested positive for COVID-19
People with COVID-19
People under investigation
People in isolation
Sex Workers
Do Not Use
Gay men
HIV-Infected
Unprotected sex
HIV Patients
Prisoners
Full-blown AIDS
Compliant
Mother-to-child transmission
Tainted/dirty needles
Special populations
Additional Phrases/Examples
Use
People who are blind/visually impaired
People who are deaf/hearing impaired
People who has been diagnosed with ….
People who use a wheelchair
People diagnosed with a mental health condition
People who are undocumented
People who have housing insecurity/unstable housing
People with a disability
People who have a ___ disorder
People with a physical disability
People who are food insecure
Do Not Use
Blind people
Deaf people
Contacted or acquired
Wheelchair bound
Mental health patients
Illegal immigrants
Homeless people
Continue Learning with Us
At AME, we believe inclusive language is a vital part of quality healthcare. Explore our upcoming educational events focused on advancing knowledge in HIV, hepatitis, and other infectious diseases.
