HIV AIDS - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), is an ongoing, also called chronic, condition It's caused by the human immunodeficiency virus, also called HIV HIV damages the immune system so that the body is less able to fight infection and disease If HIV isn't treated, it can take years before it weakens the immune system enough to become AIDS
HIV AIDS: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment Prevention - Cleveland Clinic Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) HIV weakens your immune system by destroying your T-cells until you are unable to fight off even minor illnesses You can have HIV without any symptoms Getting tested and starting treatment early gives you the best chance of living a long life