The word "Aids"

Post Reply New Topic

Can you feel overwhelmed by someone saying the word "Aids"?

I though they called it "HIV" today.

Yes. I get overwhelmed with many ambiguous words like that. When a word with many meanings gets mentioned, I tend to tune out while all of the meanings and corresponding associations run through my head.

I remember when this disease first came around to public attention, it for a brief time was referred to as GRID- Gay Related Immune Disorder.

HIV is not Aids. You have to be HIV positive to get Aids but just because someone is HIV positive does not mean the person has Aids.

Even being around someone with full blown Aids, my friend's mom had it, does not bother me. I know how the HIV virus is transmitted and people who know they have it also know how it is transmitted. So you just have to be careful. But being around the person and even giving him or her hugs will not put you in any danger.

But to answer your question directly qawer, no, the word Aids does not overwhelm me.

Are you talking about the plural of 'aid' or the disease? Whichever it is, I don't find it overwhelming. The disease is quite horrible but in a way it's not as scary as something like cancer because AIDS doesn't just happen inside your body like cancer does. It's rather preventable.

No. Every time I hear the word, I picture a staff assistant or something. I had an aid through school. Reminds me of that South Park episode when the Subway man said he has aids when he meant his aids, not the disease. I know for a while it was taboo to talk about and now it's socially acceptable so thus AIDS is funny at the end of the episode. I didn't get it then until I was an adult when I learned it was taboo to talk about it and then it becomes acceptable after so many years. I used to picture hearing aids when I first heard the disease. I didn't even know what it was then. All I heard was the word when I would hear it on a radio commercial here back in 6th grade.