HIV
Medical abbreviation · Infectious Disease
| Stands for | Human immunodeficiency virus |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
HIV stands for Human immunodeficiency virus, an infectious disease abbreviation.
Retrovirus that infects CD4 T cells and, without treatment, gradually destroys the immune system, leading to AIDS. It spreads through blood, sexual contact, pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding; modern antiretroviral therapy controls the virus so well that people with HIV can expect a near-normal lifespan.
Example: Fourth-generation HIV antigen/antibody test reactive; confirmatory differentiation assay and viral load sent today.
Usage notes
The virus was identified in 1983 by Françoise Barré-Sinoussi and Luc Montagnier, and the name HIV was adopted in 1986. About 40 million people worldwide live with HIV. "HIV virus" is redundant, and "HIV" is not a synonym for AIDS, which is the advanced stage of infection. The CDC recommends that everyone aged 13 to 64 be tested at least once. Treatment that keeps the virus undetectable prevents sexual transmission, the basis of the U=U message.
Related abbreviations
More infectious disease abbreviations
- HAART – Highly active antiretroviral therapy
- HAP – Hospital-acquired pneumonia
- HAV – Hepatitis A virus
- HBsAg – Hepatitis B surface antigen
- HBV – Hepatitis B virus
- HCV – Hepatitis C virus
- hMPV – Human metapneumovirus
- HPV – Human papillomavirus
- HSV – Herpes simplex virus
- HZ – Herpes zoster
- IDSA – Infectious Diseases Society of America
- IGRA – Interferon-gamma release assay
See all 92 infectious disease abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.