2. 3 Definition of HIV

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

• Human – means it is a virus that affects humans.
• Immunodeficiency – means it reduces the immune system.
• Virus – means that the infection is a virus!

A virus is an organism that can only reproduce inside cells of another living organism. Some viruses are harmless and others can cause illness. Viral infections are treated with antiviral medicines.

HIV belongs to a family of viruses called retroviruses.

This is why HIV drugs are called antiretrovirals (or ARVs).

A retrovirus needs to make a ‘backward step’ in order to reproduce – hence ‘retro’.

These other common viruses can also affect people with HIV.

• Hepatitis A, B and C.
• Herpes (HSV-1 and HSV-2).
• Cytomegalovirus (CMV).
• Human herpes virus-8 (HHV-8).
• Human papilloma virus (HPV).

Last updated: 1 January 2023.