were HIV-positive vs were infected with HIV

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Were HIV-positive' is commonly used to describe someone's HIV status, while 'were infected with HIV' is more specific and emphasizes the action of contracting the virus.

Last updated: March 24, 2024 • 617 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used to describe someone's HIV status.

"were HIV-positive"

This phrase is used to indicate that someone had HIV in the past. It is a common way to describe the HIV status of individuals.

Examples:

Many years ago, she found out she was HIV-positive.
The test results confirmed that he was HIV-positive.
Back in the 1990s, being HIV-positive was often stigmatized.
He disclosed his HIV-positive status to his family.
The support group is for HIV-positive individuals.

Show examples from the web [+]

1.8 million people died from tuberculosis in 2008, about 500000 of whom were HIV-positive.
I thought that you were HIV positive.
These cases occurred in non-approved indications and the majority of patients were HIV positive.
This young girl and her friend that I met in an orphanage in Delhi were HIV positive from a syringe.
In a recent study in Kenya 25% of girls between 15 and 19 were HIV positive and 4% of boys.
And told me that we were both hiv positive,
If you are HIV positive you should inform your doctor as Aldara cream has not been shown to be as effective in HIV positive patients.
Subject: Visa Waiver Programme and HIV positive persons
Sasha told me she was HIV positive.
Nurse say I'm HIV positive.
Matthew Shepard is HIV positive, and they said I've been exposed.
Usually, a HIV positive will develop it.
As if you learned... that someone is HIV positive.
If you are HIV positive this medicine will not control your HIV infection.
Results from a study in HIV-positive paediatric patients revealed a decrease in lopinavir concentrations during nevirapine co-administration.
You can actually cure T.B., even in HIV-positives.
Today there are still three million HIV-positive people in India.
It's a grassroots campaign with 80 percent membership being women, most of whom are HIV-positive.
One third of the people I rescue are HIV positive.
The series of arrests started because one person was declared HIV-positive.

Alternatives:

had HIV
tested positive for HIV
was diagnosed with HIV
carried the HIV virus
was living with HIV

This phrase is correct and emphasizes the action of contracting the virus.

"were infected with HIV"

This phrase is used to specifically describe the act of contracting the HIV virus. It focuses on the moment of infection.

Examples:

She was infected with HIV through a blood transfusion.
The patient was infected with HIV after sharing needles.
He found out he was infected with HIV after a routine test.
The study focused on how individuals were infected with HIV.
Prevention programs aim to reduce the number of people infected with HIV.

Show examples from the web [+]

4.9 million people were infected with HIV in 2004, more than in any previous year.
Some 230000 people were infected with HIV in 2003, bringing the total number of people living with the virus in this region to 1.5 million.
Viracept has been studied in combination with other antiviral medicines in two main studies involving 605 patients aged 13 years or more, who were infected with HIV.
At this time, there were thousands of individuals, we think, that were infected with HIV.
Some 4.9 million people were infected with HIV in 2004, more than in any previous year.
The two main studies of Fuzeon included 1,013 patients aged 16 years or over who were infected with HIV and had taken, or were not responding to, other antiviral medicines.
In Western and Central Europe more than 26000 people were infected with HIV in 2005.

Alternatives:

contracted HIV
acquired HIV
got infected with HIV
transmitted HIV
became HIV-positive

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were HIV-positive vs were infected with HIV