What kind of virus is HIV?

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that destroys cells in the body that aid in infection resistance, rendering a person more susceptible to other infections and disorders. It is transmitted through contact with certain bodily fluids of an HIV-positive individual, most commonly during unprotected intercourse (sex without using a condom or HIV medication to prevent or treat HIV) or through sharing injection drug equipment.

HIV, if left untreated, can progress to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).

The human body cannot eliminate HIV, and there is currently no viable HIV cure. Thus, once infected with HIV, it is permanent.

However, by taking HIV medication (antiretroviral therapy, or ART), people living with HIV can live long and healthy lives while preventing HIV transmission to sexual partners. Additionally, there are effective strategies for preventing HIV transmission through sex or drug use, including pre-and post-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) (PEP).

AIDS is a chronic, potentially fatal disorder caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HIV impairs your body’s ability to fight infection and disease by damaging your immune system.

HIV is a virus that is spread sexually (STI). Additionally, it can be transferred by contact with infected blood, illicit injectable drug usage, or needle sharing. Further, it can be transmitted from mother to kid through pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding. Without medicine, it may take years for HIV to deteriorate your immune system to AIDS.

There is no cure for HIV/AIDS. However, drugs can help control the infection and slow the disease’s course. Antiviral medications for HIV have significantly reduced AIDS fatalities worldwide, and international organisations are attempting to expand access to preventative and treatment measures in resource-poor nations.

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is classified into HIV-1 and HIV-2. Both of these factors can contribute to the development of AIDS. They are, nevertheless, somewhat dissimilar.

HIV-1 is the most prevalent strain. When you hear the term “HIV,” it most likely refers to HIV-1.

HIV-2 infects a substantially smaller proportion of persons, primarily in West Africa. It accounts for less than 0.01 per cent of all HIV cases in the United States, and those who contract it are predominantly from West Africa. It is more challenging to transfer HIV-2 from person to person, and the infection takes longer to progress to AIDS.

Both HIV-1 and HIV-2 contain many subtypes. These categories are further subdivided into subgroups or strains.

HIV is continually replicating. Certain strains reproduce more rapidly and are more easily transmitted from person to person than others.

If your doctor is aware of the type of HIV that you have, they can treat you more effectively. A blood test can determine this. Additionally, the same test can determine whether or not particular HIV medications will work effectively for you.

• HIV-1 subgroups
• HIV-1 is classified into four subtypes: one primary and three significantly smaller.

M-Group (Major)

This organisation is directly responsible for the HIV epidemic. This group accounts for about 90% of all HIV-1 diagnoses.

There are nine strains in the group: A, B, C, D, F, G, H, J, and K. Several of these strains have sub-strains. Researchers are constantly discovering new songs as they learn about HIV-1 group M.

In the United States, the most prevalent HIV strain is B. Globally, the most pervasive HIV strain is C.

Scientists have not conducted extensive research on strains other than B, so knowledge about the others is restricted. Antiretroviral medications used to treat the B strain are also effective against the majority of others.

N, O, and P groups

Near West-central Africa, notably Cameroon, the smaller HIV-1 groupings are uncommon. They are as follows:

N (New, Not-M, or Not O group): This virus strain has been detected in a minimal number of persons in Cameroon. Due to the rarity of this infection, researchers have not named any songs for it.

O (Outlier group): This subgroup contains nearly as many variants as the M subgroup. However, researchers have not discovered its distinct strains due to their rarity.

P group: This is the most recent HIV-1 subgroup. It was given a unique moniker due to its dissimilarity to the M, N, and O strains.

Multiple Strain Infections

When the virus replicates, copies of the virus occasionally alter (mutate) and evolve into another HIV strain in your body. You may develop a pressure against which your HIV medications are ineffective. This increases your viral load — the amount of HIV in your body. In that instance, you would require a different form of treatment.

Additionally, if more than one individual infected you, you may have two or more strains. This is referred to as superinfection. Superinfection is extremely rare; it occurs in less than 4% of people. You are most at risk of superinfection within the first three years following HIV infection.

Everyone’s response to infection is unique. You may not notice any change in your symptoms or viral load with a new condition. However, it can exacerbate your HIV, particularly if you have an ineffective strain against medications, for more information visit our website.

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