HIV is the same as AIDS

HIV is an acronym for human immunodeficiency virus, which is the virus that causes AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). While this virus is the underlying cause of AIDS, not all HIV positive individuals have AIDS, as HIV can remain in a latent state for many years. If undiagnosed or left untreated, HIV usually progresses to AIDS, defined as possessing a CD4+ lymphocyte count under 200 cells/?l or HIV infection plus co infection with an AIDS defining opportunistic infection.