HIV-1 and HIV-2 are two different subtypes of the hiv virus, also known as human immunodeficiency virus, which are responsible for AIDS, a serious disease that affects the immune system and decreases the body’s response. Infections
These viruses, although they cause the same disease and are transmitted in the same way, have significant differences, especially in their rate of transmission and in the progression of the disease.
- HIV-1 and HIV-2 have many similarities in terms of replication.
- Mode of transmission.
- And clinical manifestations of AIDS.
- But there are some differences:.
HIV-1 is widespread anywhere in the world, while HIV-2 is more common in West Africa.
The mode of transmission of the virus is the same for HIV-1 and HIV-2 and is through unprotected sexual contact, the exchange of needles between infected people, transmission during pregnancy or contact with infected blood.
Although transmitted in the same way, HIV-2 produces fewer viral particles than HIV-1 and, as a result, the risk of transmission is lower in people infected with HIV-2.
Although HIV infection progresses to AIDS, the process of developing the disease is very similar for both types of viruses. However, because HIV-2 has a lower viral load, the progression of infection tends to be slower. This means that the onset of symptoms in the case of AIDS caused by HIV-2 also takes longer, which can take up to 30 years, compared to 10 years of HIV-1.
AIDS occurs when a person has opportunistic infections, such as tuberculosis or pneumonia, that occur because of the weak immune system generated by the virus. Learn more about the disease and the symptoms that may occur.
HIV infection treatment is done with antiretroviral drugs that, although they do not remove the virus from the body, help prevent its spread, slow the progression of HIV, prevent transmission and help protect the immune system.
However, due to genetic differences between viruses, drug combinations for the treatment of HIV-1 and HIV-2 may be different, as HIV-2 is resistant to two classes of antiretrovirals: reverse transcriptase analogues and fusion/entry inhibitors. Learn more about HIV treatment.