A member asked:

Can hiv-1 pcr test detect infection for hiv-2 too? because in my country there is only a pcr test for hiv-1 only, is the hiv pcr test done 30 days after exposure is conclusive both for hiv-1 and hiv-2?

A doctor has provided 1 answer
Dr. Hunter Handsfield answered

Specializes in Infectious Disease

In all countries, genetic tests ("viral load" tests) for HIV1 detect only that virus. However, in those countries, the antibody and antigen-antibody tests detect almost all HIV2 infections. On rare occasions, a specific genetic test for HIV2 is necessary, but only very rarely except in those parts of the world where HIV2 evolved and remains (parts of west Africa).

Answered 11/19/2022

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