Signs of HIV AIDS usually do not appear immediately when someone is newly infected with HIV. Flu-like symptoms only appear two weeks after HIV infection occurs. Because acute HIV infection often only causes mild complaints, this condition is often only detected when it has entered an advanced stage. HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks the immune system. Without strong immunity, the body has difficulty fighting infections that can cause disease. HIV works by destroying white blood cells that play an important role in the immune system. The more damaged white blood cells, the weaker the immune system. Many people think that HIV is AIDS and vice versa. Though being infected with HIV will not always lead to AIDS if the status of HIV infection is known from the beginning and treated early. At very severe levels of HIV infection, a very weak immune system makes the body very vulnerable to infection and cancer. This deadly condition is called AIDS (acquired immuno