Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS or Aids) is a collection of symptoms and infections resulting from the specific damage to the immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).It is now a pandemic, with an estimated 38.6 million people now living with the disease worldwide.AIDS is estimated to have killed more than 25 million people since it was first recognized on June 5, 1981, making it one of the most destructive epidemics in recorded history. This timeline traces the development of the AIDS virus from the time it was first officially recognized in the early 80s to today. Picture: http://www.iusy.org/pictures/campaigns/2005/ aids/aids_front_big.gif