virus and HIV

[balakrishnanijk]

While the word virus is countable, why is HIV uncountable?

Why don't we say 'human immunodeficiency viruses'?

 

[SlickVic9000]

(Not a Teacher)

Because HIV is the name of a specific virus, not a category of virus.

 

[Raymott]

While the word virus is countable, why is HIV uncountable?

Why don't we say 'human immunodeficiency viruses'?

You can use it in the appropriate context: There are two human immunodeficiency viruses - HIV-1 and HIV-2

"Two types of HIV have been characterized: HIV-1 and HIV-2. HIV-1 is the virus that was initially discovered and termed both LAV and HTLV-III. It is more virulent, moreinfective,[SUP][20][/SUP] and is the cause of the majority of HIV infections globally. The lower infectivity of HIV-2 compared to HIV-1 implies that fewer of those exposed to HIV-2 will be infected per exposure. Because of its relatively poor capacity for transmission, HIV-2 is largely confined to West Africa.[SUP][21]" [/SUP]HIV - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia