What is the meaning if the word AIDS?

Acquired Resulting from exposure to something.

Immune Deficiency This is a weakness in the body’s system that fights diseases.

Syndrome This is a group of health problems that make up a disease.

AIDS is caused by HIV, that can be abbreviated as Human Immunodeficiency Virus. If you get infected with HIV, your body will try to fight the infection. It will make antibodies, (special molecules to fight HIV).

You get a variety of tests that you can do to determine if you have AIDS. One way is to look for HIV antibodies. Once it is established that you have the HIV antibodies in your system (that means that you are HIV-Positive), further tests will be done to determine if you have AIDS.

Being HIV-positive, or having HIV disease, is not the same as having AIDS. Many people are HIV-positive but don’t get sick for many years. As HIV disease continues, it slowly wears down the immune system. Viruses, parasites, fungi and bacteria that usually don’t cause any problems can make you very sick if your immune system is damaged. These are called “opportunistic infections”.