What is HIV?

Ans 1:

HIV is a virus spread through body fluids that affects specific cells of the immune system, called CD4 cells, or T cells. Over time, HIV can destroy so many of these cells that the body can’t fight off infections and disease. When this happens, HIV infection leads to AIDS. Learn more about the stages of HIV and how to tell whether you’re infected.

Ans 2:

“HIV” stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. To understand what that means, let’s break it down:

H         -          Human – This particular virus can only infect human beings.

I           -          Immunodeficiency – HIV weakens your immune system by destroying important cells that fight disease and infection. A "deficient" immune system can't protect you.

V         -           Virus – A virus can only reproduce itself by taking over a cell in the body of its host.