Managing HIV. Part 3: Mechanisms of disease. 3.1 Structure and function of HIV.

The discovery of HIV in 1983 is a landmark of medical science in the 20th century. HIV is a fragile but stealthy virus that thrives within the cells of the immune system itself, subverting the body's defences against disease. Knowing the structure and life cycle of the virus is the key to understanding how it is transmitted, how it causes disease and how best to prevent or control infection.