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Infection with more than one HIV type (superinfection) ?

What is HIV superinfection?

HIV superinfection is when a person with HIV gets infected with another type of the HIV virus. The new strain of HIV can replace the original strain or remain along with the original strain. This usually happens when a person first gets HIV, or soon after a new infection.

What we know about superinfection:

A weekly pill box with medications for each day of the week

The effects of superinfection differ from person to person. Superinfection may cause some people to get sicker faster because they become infected with a new strain of the virus that is resistant to the medicines (antiretroviral therapy or ART) they're taking to treat their original HIV infection.

It's hard to know how often superinfections occur. Research suggests that a hard-to-treat superinfection is rare, less than 1% to 4%. Taking ART may reduce someone's chance of getting a superinfection.

What you can do

Nine colored condoms in wrappers on a table

If you have HIV, take ART and use condoms the right way, every time you have sex to protect yourself and your partners from superinfection. There are many tips for learning to use a condom the right way. +

Additional Resources

Learn about the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's HIV prevention campaigns:

Act Against AIDS: Encouraging all Americans to learn more about HIV/AIDS.