Clinical Guidelines > Current Guidelines > UK Guideline for the use of HIV Post-Exposure Prophylaxis 2021BHIVA guidelines for the management of HIV-2 2021BHIVA guidelines on immunisation for adults with HIV: SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) 2021 - consultationBHIVA/BASHH/BIA Adult HIV Testing guidelines 2020BHIVA guidelines on the management of opportunistic infection in people living with HIV: The clinical management of gastrointestinal opportunistic infections 2020BHIVA guidelines for the management of HIV in pregnancy and postpartum 2018 (2020 third interim update)BHIVA guidelines on the management of opportunistic infection in people living with HIV: The clinical management of Candidiasis 2019BHIVA guidelines for the management of tuberculosis in adults living with HIV 2018 (2021 interim update)BHIVA guidelines for the routine investigation and monitoring of adult HIV-1-positive individuals 2016 (2019 interim update)BHIVA/BASHH guidelines on the use of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) 2018BHIVA guidelines for the treatment of HIV-1-positive adults with antiretroviral therapy 2015 (2016 interim update)BHIVA guidelines on the use of vaccines in HIV-positive adults 2015UK Guidelines for Kidney and Pancreas Transplantation in patients with HIV 2015BHIVA guidelines for HIV-associated malignancies 2014BHIVA guidelines for the management of hepatitis viruses in adults infected with HIV 2013 (updated September 2014)BHIVA and BIA guidelines for the treatment of Opportunistic Infection in HIV-seropositive Individuals 2011BHIVA, BASHH and FSRH guidelines for the management of sexual and reproductive health of people living with HIV infection 2008
BHIVA guidelines for the management of HIV-2 2021
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is classified into two main types: HIV-1, which is closely related to a simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) in chimpanzees, and HIV-2, which is closely related to an SIV in sooty mangabeys. HIV-2 is a minority HIV species; the exact prevalence is unknown but is estimated to be 1–2 million cases worldwide. Although endemic in West Africa, the distribution of HIV-2 is limited and low prevalence in most settings means that understanding and experience of HIV-2, relative to HIV-1, are often lacking. Since HIV-2 was first recognised, evidence has changed regarding pathogenicity and prognosis. Although HIV-2 was initially considered non-pathogenic, it is now known that most untreated individuals with HIV-2 will experience disease progression, albeit at a slower rate compared to HIV-1.
Diagnosis, monitoring and management of HIV-2 remain challenging. Antiretroviral drugs are mostly developed for activity against HIV-1, therefore many are inactive against HIV-2 and there are limited in vitro data for those drugs that may be used. To date, there have been no published randomised controlled trials of antiretroviral therapy for HIV-2 and understanding is based on cohort studies and observational data.
The overall purpose of these guidelines is to provide guidance on best clinical practice in the treatment and management of adults with HIV-2.
British HIV Association guidelines for the management of HIV-2 2021
Consultation comments
Download the comments received by the BHIVA Secretariat during the public consultation process
Declaration of interests
Download the declaration of interests from writing group members
Non-technical summary
View non-technical summary
Please note: The non-technical summary is less detailed than the full guideline and if you are reading this because it is relevant to your own healthcare, please do discuss any concerns or questions with your healthcare professionals.
Dr Iain Reeves (Chair), Mr Ben Cromarty, Dr Jane Deayton, Dr Rageshri Dhairyawan, Dr Mike Kidd, Dr Chris Taylor, Dr John Thornhill, Dr Maya Tickell-Painter, Dr Clare van Halsema
The guidelines were peer reviewed by Prof Sarah L. Rowland-Jones, Universities of Oxford and Sheffield, and Dr Erasmus Smit, Institute of Environmental Science and Research, New Zealand.
Guideline updates and date of next review
The guidelines are scheduled for full review by September 2026.
Reeves I, Cromarty B, Deayton J et al. British HIV Association guidelines for the management of HIV-2 2021. HIV Med 2021; 22 Suppl 4: 1-29.