After HIV fuses with a host cell membrane, the capsid and protein coats are removed in a process specifically called .

The process by which the capsid and protein coats of the HIV virus are removed after it fuses with a host cell membrane is called uncoating. During this stage, the viral RNA and essential enzymes, such as reverse transcriptase, are released into the host cell's cytoplasm. This step is crucial for HIV's replication process because it allows the viral genome to be accessible for reverse transcription into DNA. The uncoating process occurs immediately following fusion and is a vital step before the integration of HIV DNA into the host genome. Understanding this process is important for developing treatments that target and inhibit different stages of the viral life cycle, potentially halting the progression of HIV infection.