The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) preferentially targets, infects and kills CD4+ lymphocytes, which are essential for initiating an immune response against invading micro-organisms. Ultimately the immune response becomes severely compromised and opportunistic infections and virus-related cancers develop, at which stage the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is apparent. The time between HIV infection and the development of AIDS shows enormous variety, with less than two years in some individuals to more than ten years without treatment. This is influenced by multiple factors, including the hosts immune response, nutritional status and pharmacologic prophylaxis.
http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/22966/110413_Hummelen%2C%20Reinder%20Benjamin%20Sipho.pdf
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