human immunodeficiency virus

human immunodeficiency virus (plural human immunodeficiency viruses)

1. (virology) Either of the two related viruses, human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) and human immunodeficiency virus 2 (HIV-2) that progressively destroy the body's immune system and can potentially lead to AIDS.

• (viruses): HIV, house in Virginia (euphemistic)

• retrovirus

• human immunodeficiency virus 1 (“HIV-1”)
• human immunodeficiency virus 2 (“HIV-2”)

• AIDS (“acquired immunodeficiency syndrome”)
• ARC (“AIDS-related complex”)

• simian immunodeficiency virus (“SIV”)