Final answer:
AIDS stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, a condition resulting from the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) that significantly weakens the immune system.
Step-by-step explanation:
AIDS, or Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, is a disease caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). This virus attacks and destroys helper T cells in the human immune system, leading to a weakened capability to fight off opportunistic infections and cancers that typically do not affect healthy individuals.
A person with untreated HIV is susceptible to developing AIDS, usually several years following the initial viral infection. While there is currently no cure for HIV, the progression to AIDS can be significantly delayed with appropriate medication. Over time, AIDS has resulted in approximately 25 million fatalities worldwide, marking it as a severe global health concern.