what does aids mean

AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. It is the most advanced stage of infection caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). AIDS occurs when HIV has severely damaged the immune system, making the body vulnerable to other infections and illnesses that the immune system would normally be able to fight off. People with AIDS have weakened immune systems and may experience opportunistic infections or certain cancers. HIV infection progresses to AIDS if untreated, but with proper antiretroviral therapy, many people with HIV do not develop AIDS.