HIV belongs to which virus family?

• A. Herpesviridae
• B. Retroviridae
• C. Orthomyxoviridae
• D. Flaviviridae

Answer: (B)

HIV is categorized as a retrovirus (Retroviridae) because its genome is RNA and it carries reverse transcriptase, an enzyme that converts that RNA into DNA, which then integrates into the host cell’s genome. This reverse-transcription and integration process is the defining feature of retroviruses, and HIV is a classic example within the lentivirus genus of this family.

Other virus families differ in their genetic material and replication strategies. Herpesviridae are double-stranded DNA viruses that establish latency in host cells; Orthomyxoviridae are negative-sense, segmented RNA viruses like influenza; Flaviviridae are positive-sense RNA viruses such as dengue and hepatitis C. These do not use reverse transcription, so they are not retroviruses.