HIV-2 is a type of HIV virus that is not as common as HIV-1, which makes up a vast majority of human immunodeficiency virus infections. Part of the reason that HIV-2 is not as common as HIV-1 is that it is mainly confined to western Africa and countries in the vicinity. As such, while HIV-2 typically does not originate in South Africa, there are many migrants who enter the country and are carriers.
HIV-2 gets transmitted through sexual contact or the exchange of blood in the same way that HIV-1 does. However, because the genetic makeup of the virus is slightly different, the same treatments do not always work.
Therefore, if you suspect you have an HIV infection, it is important to get a concrete diagnosis so that you start the right treatment plan. Otherwise, there is no guarantee that your condition will be managed, and it could eventually develop into AIDS.
Antiretroviral therapy, better known as ART, is the most common and effective treatment for all types of HIV infections. ART consists of a combination of drugs and medications that attack the viruses that cause HIV in several different ways. While ART is not a permanent cure for HIV-2, it can manage the condition, prevent unwanted symptoms, and keep it from progressing into AIDS.
While this is the same type of treatment used with HIV-1, the specific medications used are different. For instance, recent studies have shown that nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, NNRTIs, are not effective in treating all HIV-2 infections, but they are a focal treatment for HIV-1 infections.
Additionally, fusion inhibitor enfuvirtide, another top treatment for HIV-1 infections, does not work with certain HIV-2 infections. However, apart from these two drugs, many of the medications that work with HIV-1 also work to treat HIV-2 infections, including the following.
Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRIs) are one class of anti-HIV drugs that may be prescribed. NNRIs prevent certain proteins that help HIV viruses replicate from being created, which keeps the virus from growing. Some examples of NNRIs include efavirenz, rilpivirine, and doravirine.
Protease inhibitors (PIs) are another common medication used in ART. As with NNRIs, PIs prevent certain proteins from being created, which do not allow HIV to replicate. PI medications may include atazanavir, darunavir, and lopinavir/ritonavir.
The final common medication used in ART, Integrase inhibitors, works by disabling a protein known as integrase. Integrase helps HIV replicate and is a core component of its genetic makeup. Examples of integrase inhibitor medications may include raltegravir, dolutegravir, and cabotegravir.
In most cases, at least two types of HIV medications are necessary for ART to be successful. Once again, ART will not cure your condition, but it will keep it from progressing and becoming life-threatening. ART can help people with HIV-2 live mostly normal and full lives.
Because there are several different medications and types of medications used to treat HIV-2, it is important to have frequent checkups with your doctor. There is a chance that the medication is not working or that you need to adjust your dosage.
If you or someone you know has a strain of HIV, it is vital to determine whether it is HIV-1 or HIV-2. While many of the same treatments work for both conditions, this is not always the case, which is why diagnosis is necessary.