AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. It is the late stage of HIV infection. A person has AIDS when the immune system becomes very weak from HIV infection or when he or she gets one or more serious illnesses because of the HIV.
People who are infected with HIV often do not get AIDS for up to ten years or longer. Some people have lived with HIV infection for more than 20 years. HIV medicines can help people with HIV live longer, healthier lives.
