Abbreviation for human immunodeficiency virus.
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human immunodeficiency virus
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HIV .ā-.chī-'vē n any of several retroviruses and esp. HIV-1 that infect and destroy helper T cells of the immune system causing the marked reduction in their numbers that is diagnostic of AIDS called also AIDS virus, human immunodeficiency virus
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a retrovirus responsible for AIDS. There are two varieties, HIV-1 and HIV-2; the latter is most common in Africa. See also HTLV.
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human immunodeficiency virus.Medical dictionary. 2011.