Read the passage and answer the questions that follow.
HIV stands for ‘Human Immunodeficiency Virus’. It is a virus which is found only in human beings and affects the immune system in humans. When HIV remains in the body for a long time, it destroys the immune system. Many diseases like tuberculosis, fungal infections and cancer begin affecting the body and the person is said to be having AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). However, any person suffering from T.B., cancer or fungal infection should not be considered suffering from HIV and AIDS.
Acquired means it is not genetically inherited. Immune deficiency means that the defence mechanism of the body, the immune system becomes weak, and Syndrome means that when the individual has AIDS, it is not just the signs and symptoms of one disease, but a group of diseases, that appear in him/her. When a person is said to be HIV positive, it simply means that HIV is present in his/her body. The interval between acquiring HIV infection and AIDS may be up to 10–15 years. It depends upon many factors like the status of the immune system at the time of the entry of HIV in the body, regular treatment of illnesses, good diet and healthy lifestyle that the individual has.