BI0032
The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a viral sexually transmitted and blood-borne infection which targets the immune system, weakening people’s defences against opportunistic infections and some types of cancer. The most advanced stage of HIV infection is acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), which can take from 2 to 15 years to develop if not treated, depending on the individual. AIDS is defined by the development of certain cancers, infections or other severe clinical manifestations (WHO, 2019).