What virus causes Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) by damaging the immune system?

The virus that causes Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). HIV specifically attacks and gradually destroys the immune system’s CD4 cells, which are crucial for the body’s ability to fight infections and diseases. As the virus progresses and the number of these cells declines, the body becomes increasingly vulnerable to opportunistic infections and certain cancers, leading to the diagnosis of AIDS.

This understanding is fundamental in recognizing the importance of prevention, early detection, and management of HIV to maintain immune health and prevent the progression to AIDS. Other viruses listed, such as Hepatitis C, Human Papillomavirus, and Influenza, impact health and the immune system in different ways but do not specifically cause AIDS.