hiv, also known as the AIDS virus or human immunodeficiency virus, has a main structure of surface spikelike glycoproteins and an internal RNA genome, with the spikelike proteins being the most susceptible to mutation. HIV mutation is a change in the subtype of the AIDS virus, which makes it resistant to certain drugs and makes AIDS treatment difficult. Possible reasons for HIV mutation are the non-positive action of reverse transcriptase, genetic recombination, host immune selection, and drug selection. HIV is a stereo-symmetric RNA virus with a surface structure of spiny proteins, which is the most mutable part of HIV. For example, the surface glycoprotein of HIV-1 has gp120 and gp41, gp120 is the antigen on the surface of the virus, while gp41 is a transmembrane glycoprotein, the two interact and bind to the surface of the host cell, and the mutation of HIV surface protein can invade different cells. The incubation time, affinity with cells, replication efficiency, and clinical manifestations of the virus change significantly after HIV mutation, and different subtypes of HIV can be transmitted to each other, increasing the chance of morbidity. Therefore, mutated HIV should be recognized as early as possible, while avoiding cross-infection, and doctors should follow up with timely diagnosis. The HIV virus can attack the human immune system, which can lead to a variety of infectious diseases and eventually lead to death, and there is no effective clinical treatment. If HIV infection occurs, it is important to seek prompt medical attention to avoid progression of the disease.