HIV1 and HIV2: The Major Differences

The major aspect, which makes, HIV an extremely dangerous disease, is its ability to quickly replicate itself. Once it enters the body, it begins with the process of replication, which is at a very fast rate. Along with this, another reason, why we could not find a cure so far has been the mutation process, which this virus undergoes, resulting in the formation of several mutant groups.

Initially, HIV was considered to be one single virus type. However, it was soon revealed, that there were basically two strains of the HIV virus: HIV1 and HIV2.

While HIV1 is the most common type of strain, which affects the populations all across the globe, another strain of HIV, i.e. HIV2 is increasingly becoming a similar threat.

Although both HIV1 and HIV2 are very much similar, as far as transmission modes, as well as symptoms are concerned; there are a few major differences. The following are some of the major differences between the two strains:

1. The first major difference between the two strains lies in the number of cases reported under each strain. While HIV1 is the most common strain and is found in the majority of HIV infection cases, HIV2 is the less common strain and is not found very often.

2. Another major difference between HIV1 and HIV2 is in relation to the areas of prevalence. While HIV1 can be found across all the places of the world, the less common HIV2 is mainly concentrated to areas of Western Africa. HIV2 cases are mainly found in countries like, Senegal, Nigeria, as well as the Ivory Coast. Apart from this, it has also spread into countries like France and Portugal, as a result of economic relationships with these countries.

3. Apart from that, another important difference lies in terms of clinical research, as well as medical facilities available for each strain. Although, we may have a number of antiretroviral therapies, which are there for the treatment of HIV; these antiretroviral therapies mainly focus on the HIV1 strain, since it is most common. HIV2, being less common had less scope for clinical research. Due to this reason, there has not been much medical development, as far as HIV2 is concerned.

4. Also, HIV2 has been found to be slow in progress and has been found to weaken the immune system at a much slower rate, than the HIV1 strain. It has also been said that, HIV2 is less infectious in the earlier stages and is also said to be less easily transmitted.

5. However, in the later stages, it is HIV2 which does more damage. It has been found to be more infectious in the later stages, causing a number of ailments in a very short span of time.

Although there may be a few differences between both HIV1 and HIV2, both the strains are equally dangerous. Therefore, both should be avoided at any cost. The prevention modes are the same in both the cases. So, irrespective of which strain is it, do not let HIV in any form affect you.