Human Immunodeficiency Virus

In virology, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is "a non-taxonomic and historical term referring to any of two species, specifically Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1) and/or Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 2 (HIV-2). Prior to 1986, this was called human T-lymphotropic virus type III/lymphadenopathy-associated virus (HTLV-III/LAV). From 1986-1990, it was an official species called HIV. Since 1991, HIV was no longer considered an official species name; the two species were designated HIV-1 and HIV-2."