What is the difference between HIV 1 and HIV 2

HIV, which stands for human immunodeficiency viruses basically are two species of Lentivirus (a subgroup of retrovirus) that mainly infect humans. Over time, they cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), a condition in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive. In the absence of treatment, the average survival (ARR) time after infection with Human Immunodeficiency Virus is estimated to be 9-11 years, depending on the HIV subtype. Most cases revealed that the Human Immunodeficiency Virus is a sexually transmitted infection and may occur by contact with or transfer of blood, semen, pre-ejaculate, and vaginal fluids. On behalf of some research (for both same-sex as well as opposite-sex couples), the Human Immunodeficiency Virus is untransmittable through condomless sexual intercourse if the HIV-positive partner has a consistently undetectable viral load. Non-sexual transmission may appear from an infected mother to her child while on the pregnancy, during childbirth by exposure to her blood or vaginal fluid, and through breast milk. Within these bodily fluids, HIV exists as both free virus particles and also viruses within the infected immune cells. 

There are two main types of HIV:

• HIV-1
• HIV-2

Both types of HIV are long term but both are manageable health conditions with effective treatment. 
People with HIV can live long healthy lives. Understanding the different types of HIV helps increase awareness of the condition. 

HIV-1: HIV-1 is the most common type of HIV and occurs all over the world. According to the HIV awareness charity avert, around 95% of people living with HIV have HIV-1. 
HIV-2: HIV-2 is mainly present in West Africa, but it is slowly starting to appear in other regions including the United States, Europe, and India. 

Though, HIV-1 and HIV-2 are both retroviruses. Both can have similar effects on the human body, they are generally distinct. 

A 2008 study revealed that the genomes of the two viruses only had a 55% sequence identity. 
This is simply specified that not all the tests, as well as treatments, work for both types of HIV. HIV-2 transmission is harder for people to transmit than HIV-1. 

According to a review that was published in 2013, the most common mode of HIV-2 transmission is heterosexual sex. However, transmission rates with heterosexual of HIV-2 are five to 10 times less than those of HIV-1. 
Between babies and mothers, the transmission rates of HIV-2 are 20-30 times less than those of HIV-1. 
Risk factors for HIV-1 and HIV-2 transmission include sex without a condom and sharing needles or syringes. However, there is little risk of transmitting HIV through sex if a person takes HIV medications correctly and able to maintain an undetectable viral load. This can also significantly reduce the risk of mother-to-child transmission. 
In order to seek HIV treatment, there is a long list of HIV medications. 
 

Read:- How toxic is HIV Medications