Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is the virus responsible for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). HIV generally takes several years to develop into AIDS. This means that not all HIV carriers develop AIDS, a disease that has become extremely rare. On the other hand, people with AIDS carry HIV.

For further information, we recommend that you consult :

- Santé Publique France's "Question Sexualité" website
- The Santé Publique France website, and its thematic dossier on all STDs / STIs
- The "Sexualités entre hommes et prévention" information site
- Regional COREVIH websites
- The French Ministry of Solidarity and Health website, and the article "Informer sur le VIH/Sida et les autres infections sexuellement transmissibles (IST)".
- The section dedicated to STDs / STIs on the Assurance Maladie "Ameli" website

And more specifically for AIDS, you can consult the Sida Info Service website.