Which acronym is used for the virus that attacks the immune system?

• A. AIDS
• B. HIV
• C. STD
• D. HPV

Answer: (B)

The key idea here is to distinguish the virus from the condition it can cause. HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus, and that virus targets immune system cells, especially CD4+ T cells, weakening the body's defenses over time. If untreated, HIV can progress to AIDS, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, the illness that arises from a severely weakened immune system. The other terms refer to different concepts: AIDS is the disease result of HIV; STD means sexually transmitted disease, a broad category; HPV is another virus that can cause warts or cancer but does not primarily attack the immune system. So the virus that attacks the immune system is HIV.