Does everyone need treatment?

Nearly everyone who is HIV positive will need treatment at some time.

But HIV infection progresses at very different rates in different people.

Many people are diagnosed a long time after infection.

• About 20% of people need treatment within 2 years of infection.
• 50% will start treatment after 2-10 years (average of 5 years).
• About 25% stay well for over 10 years without treatment.
• Less than 5% of people can go for 15-20 years without treatment.
• 0.01% may never need treatment!

When you need treatment is something you have to discuss with your doctor. This will usually take place over several visits.

• Ask any questions until you are happy with the answers.
• Get information from other sources: other health workers, the Internet, friends, newsletters and phone lines.

Even if you are well, it is a good idea to get to know something about treatment now, before you need it.

This is most important if your immune system has been damaged by HIV (if you have a low CD4 count). Or if you have high levels of HIV in your blood (if you have a high viral load).