What is HIV-2?

What is HIV-2?

• HIV-2: HIV is an immune system disease caused by the HIV virus. AIDS is a term used when a person infected with HIV has a CD4+ T cell count below 200 or 14% of lymphocytes. AIDS is an advanced form of HIV. To be classified as AIDS the person must also have an AIDS-related condition such as opportunistic infections. Once a person has been diagnosed with AIDS, even if treatment improved their CD4+ T cell count and infections are under control, the person is still considered to have AIDS. HIV is classified into two subtypes - HIV-1 and HIV-2. HIV-1 is further classified into three groups - Group M, N and O. Group M is further classified into 9 subgroups - A to K and CRFs. CRF's are circulating recombinant forms which are a combination of any two subtypes e.g. CRF A/C involves both And C subtypes. HIV-2 is very rare and is generally only diagnosed in Africa but a number of cases have been diagnosed in the US. HIV-2 is less easily transmitted than HIV-1 and the time between infection and symptoms tends to be longer in HIV-2.

HIV-2: Introduction

Types of HIV-2:

Broader types of HIV-2:

• Viral diseases
• Conditions involving a pathogen
• Sexually transmitted diseases
• Immune system conditions
• Flu-like conditions
• more types...»

How serious is HIV-2?

Prognosis of HIV-2: Death usually occurs between 6 and 19 months after diagnosis of AIDS if not treatment is utilized. Strict adherence to treatment plans (usually antiretroviral medications) can significantly improve long-term outcomes. A number of people will develop a resistance to treatment therapies if they have been on them for more than two decades.
Complications of HIV-2: see complications of HIV-2

What causes HIV-2?

Causes of HIV-2: see causes of HIV-2

What are the symptoms of HIV-2?

Symptoms of HIV-2: see symptoms of HIV-2

Complications of HIV-2: see complications of HIV-2

Onset of HIV-2: Any age - infection can be transmitted to the fetus from an infected mother.

Can anyone else get HIV-2?

More information: see contagiousness of HIV-2
Inheritance: see inheritance of HIV-2

HIV-2: Testing

Diagnostic testing: see tests for HIV-2.

Misdiagnosis: see misdiagnosis and HIV-2.

How is it treated?

Doctors and Medical Specialists for HIV-2: HIV Specialist ; see also doctors and medical specialists for HIV-2.
Treatments for HIV-2: see treatments for HIV-2

Name and Aliases of HIV-2

Main name of condition: HIV-2

HIV/AIDS [HIV-2], Human immunodeficiency virus/Acquired Immune deficiency syndrome [HIV-2]

Search Specialists by State and City