What is the difference between HIV and AIDS?

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HIV is a virus. It stands for human immunodeficiency virus. It causes deficiency in the human immuno system and destroys immune system cells called CD4 cells. These cells protect the human body from other infections, diseases and other health related issues. 

If the human body losses a large number of these cells, it becomes more prone to infections and diseases. In short, HIV is a virus that makes the body more likely to get ill very easily.

AIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. It is the last stage of HIV when the virus becomes life threatening to the human body. It is a condition caused by the HIV virus. 

When a person is infected with the HIV virus, he starts to lose CD4 cells but his body doesn't lose all of them at once. The HIV virus continues to spread if left untreated. It continues to grow and make the body lose CD4 cells.

When the body loses enough cells and reach the final stage where HIV virus is rampant in the body, it is than considered to be the condition called AIDS.

The HIV virus doesn't have any cure that can completely wipe it out of the body. But there are treatment available that can reduce the spread of HIV and prevent it from becoming AIDS.

One of the most commonly used treatments against HIV for AIDS prevention is Antiretroviral therapy (ART). It can't cure HIV but reduces the risk of HIV transmission to others and helps patients live healthier lives.

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