AIDS stands
for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, "Acquired" means you can get infected with it, "Immune Deficiency" means a weakness
in the body's system that fights diseases and "Syndrome" means a group of health problems that make up a
disease. AIDS is caused by a virus called HIV, the Human Immunodeficiency
Virus. People who have the HIV antibodies are called "HIV-Positive."
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."
