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Guilherme Mazui

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What is the Difference Between HIV and AIDS?

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The main difference between HIV and AIDS is that HIV is a virus that weakens the immune system, while AIDS is a condition that can result from an untreated HIV infection when the immune system is severely damaged.

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks the immune system, specifically cells that help the body fight infections. It is transmitted through contact with certain bodily fluids, such as blood, semen, vaginal fluids, breast milk, and rectal fluids. If left untreated, HIV can lead to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), a condition where the body's immune system is significantly weakened, making it vulnerable to opportunistic infections.

AIDS is the late stage of HIV infection, characterized by a severely damaged immune system and a high risk of opportunistic infections. In the United States, most people with HIV do not develop AIDS because taking HIV medicine as prescribed prevents the progression of the disease. A person with HIV is considered to have progressed to AIDS when their CD4 cell count falls below 200 cells per cubic millimeter of blood (200 cells/mm3) or if they develop one or more opportunistic infections regardless of their CD4 count.

In summary:

  • HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system.
  • AIDS is a condition that can result from an untreated HIV infection when the immune system is severely damaged.
  • Treatment with HIV medicine (antiretroviral therapy or ART) can help prevent the progression of HIV to AIDS and manage the condition.
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  • What is the Difference Between HIV and AIDS?
  • Comparative Table: HIV vs AIDS

    • Comparative Table: HIV vs AIDS

    Here is a table outlining the differences between HIV and AIDS:

    HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome)
    A virus that attacks white blood cells within the immune system A condition that develops when HIV has caused serious damage to the immune system
    Transmitted through the exchange of bodily fluids, such as sex without condoms or shared needles AIDS is a stage of HIV infection, not a separate condition
    Symptoms include flu-like illness about 2 to 4 weeks after transmission Symptoms vary from person to person and include infections like tuberculosis, pneumonia, and certain types of cancer
    Antiretroviral therapy can help manage the virus and prevent the development of AIDS AIDS is diagnosed through a CD4 T-cell count, which measures the number of immune cells in the blood
    People with HIV can live long, productive lives with proper treatment AIDS is characterized by a severely compromised immune system, as measured by the count of CD4 cells in the body

    HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system, while AIDS is a condition that develops when HIV has significantly weakened the immune system.

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    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.