HIV stands for a virus, the human immunodeficiency virus, which cripples the body's immune system. AIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. HIV is a sexually transmitted infection that can also be transmitted in other ways, such as sharing needles when shooting up drugs. AIDS is caused by HIV and describes the body's state when the immune system is weakened to the point where it is vulnerable to a variety of diseases that would otherwise be fought off .
Lexicon of Psychology - Terms, Treatments, Biographies,