Meaning & use
HIV
Last updated
Meanings
noununcountablemedical
a virus that damages the body's immune system and can lead to AIDS
Grammar: Used as an uncountable noun: 'HIV is a virus', not 'a HIV'.
Patterns
- be infected with HIV
- test positive for HIV
- transmit HIV
HIV attacks the immune system, making it harder for the body to fight infections.
She tested positive for HIV but receives treatment that keeps her healthy.
nounbefore a nounmedical
the virus that causes AIDS, often used before another noun
Grammar: Used before a noun to describe something related to the virus: 'HIV test', 'HIV treatment'.
Patterns
- HIV test
- HIV treatment
- HIV prevention
He took an HIV test as part of a routine health check.
HIV treatment has improved greatly in recent years.
Common combinations
- HIV-positive
- He has been HIV-positive for ten years and manages it with medication.
- contract HIV
- You can contract HIV through unprotected sex or sharing needles.
- HIV/AIDS
- The organization works to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Synonyms and how they differ
- human immunodeficiency virus
- This is the full scientific name for HIV; it is used in formal or medical writing, while HIV is the common abbreviation.
Commonly confused: HIV or AIDS?
HIV vs AIDS
AIDS is the condition that can develop after HIV infection; HIV is the virus itself. Not everyone with HIV develops AIDS.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'HIV' correctly?
Choose one answer.
HIV is uncountable, so it does not take 'a' or 'an'. 'The HIV' is not used because it is not a specific instance.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “HIV”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.