HIV

HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus.

This is the virus that causes AIDS. HIV is different from most other viruses because it attacks the immune system. The immune system gives our bodies the ability to fight infections. HIV finds and destroys a type of white blood cell (T cells or CD4 cells) that the immune system must have to fight disease.

For more information view CDC's questions and answers on "HIV Science".

Anatomy of the AIDS Virus

Aids

AIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

AIDS is the final stage of HIV infection. It can take years for a person infected with HIV, even without treatment, to reach this stage. Having AIDS means that the virus has weakened the immune system to the point at which the body has a difficult time fighting infections. When someone has one or more of these infections and a low number of T cells, he or she has AIDS.

For more information view CDC's questions and answers on "HIV Science".

Electron microscope image of HIV, seen as small spheres on the surface of white blood cells

Source: ©Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) [basics#hiv]
Last updated: 03/08/2008