Final answer:
AIDS is a disease caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), which attacks the immune system resulting in a reduced capacity to fight off infections and diseases. HIV is transmitted through sexual contact, contaminated needles, and from mother to fetus. The relationship between HIV and AIDS is that HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. The correct answer is option: C. HIV.
Step-by-step explanation:
AIDS, also known as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, is a disease caused by HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). HIV attacks the immune system, weakening it so that it can no longer fight off infections and diseases effectively. The virus is primarily transmitted through blood products especially by sexual contact, contaminated needles, and from mother to fetus.
The earliest cases of AIDS were reported in 1981, with the disease leading to a significant number of deaths worldwide. Initially, the relationship between HIV and AIDS was not clear, leading to widespread panic and misinformation. However, we now understand that HIV is the underlying cause of AIDS, and with advancements in medicine, HIV infection has become a more manageable chronic illness rather than the certain death sentence it once was.