HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus,
a virus that infects
cells of the human immune system and
destroys or impairs their function. Infection with this virus results in the
progressive depletion of the immune system,
leading to immune deficiency.
Immunodeficient people are much more
vulnerable to a wide range of infections,
most of which are very rare among people without immune deficiency.
AIDS stands for
acquired immunodeficiency
syndrome and describes the
collection of symptoms and infections associated with acquired deficiency of the
immune system. Infection with HIV has been established as the underlying cause
of AIDS.
