HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. HIV weakens your immune system, and makes it much harder for your body to stay healthy. When HIV progresses, it can lead to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
Fortunately, effective treatments exist to keep your immune system strong. By starting on medications early and staying on it, HIV is now manageable. Much progress has been made and continues to be made. Today, HIV-positive people can expect to have a normal life expectancy if they start taking their medications early and regularly.
Check out this one minute video from Greater Than AIDS for more.