Q and A

Question

How long can someone live with HIV?

How long can a man live with HIV if he was around 18 years old and was healthy when he was infected, both with and without medication?

Answer

Modern HIV drugs mean that life expectancy is now similar for HIV positive people to the general population.

This is based on being diagnosed early and having access to treatment.

The wide range of factors related to life expectancy include: where you live, your income, access to health care, lifestyle (alcohol, drugs, tobacco, exercise and diet) and other infections like hepatitis, genetics and chance – good or bad luck.

Several large studies have been published showing that life expectancy for HIV positive people is very good, and near to an HIV negative person.

Without treatment, HIV will slowly progress in nearly everyone. This speed that HIV progresses varies from a few years to more than 20 years.

Note: this answer was updated in January 2018 from a question posted in August 2008..

273 comments

  1. BabaJ

    Hi I recently found am hiv positive am 24 years am taking Tencitab tables are this the right medication for hiv-1. From the doctor
    The medications I was given from the clinic is another prescription which include efavirenz 600 mg , emtricitabine 200 mg and tenofovir disproxil fumarate 300 mg which a not coping at all with it gives me dizziness and drowsiness its 3 months now .
    Should I still in the tencitab tables as I cope I do normal routines and I can drive.

    Am confused now help ! ! !

  2. Roy Trevelion

    Hi Opio, I’m sorry you’re in pain. Unfortunately we are not doctors, but we do provide HIV treatment information. Could you find another doctor to look at your symptoms?

  3. Opio

    Hi i have develop a swollen lymph near my neck and the cheek, its in a shape of a bean but slightly swollen on both side, it does not pain but make me stressed by putting a scarf all the time even during hot temperature it has taken 3 years on this condition, I went for a scan the doctor said its not something serious, but this uncomfortable in the community, what treatment can I get to cure this situation becaure am so much scared of my life

  4. Simon Collins

    Hi – you cannot catch HIV from masturbation. It is 100% safe. Without knowing your age and background, is thers any chance that you might have been born with HIV? This is just a small thing to conside becasue sometime people are not tested when they are children. However, swollen lymph nodes are really very common and fdo not mean you are HIV positive. Please talk to your docotr though so that you can stop you worrying about this and to check they are all normal.

  5. loi

    hi. i am a lesbian , i never had sex with anyone but do masturbation, and now i have swollen lymp nodes like bean/pea. in groin and armpit. i have had those for years now and doesn’t go away. i’m really scared now thinking i have hiv.and also thinking how will i able to have it when im not having sex with anyone and just do masturbation.

  6. Simon Collins

    Yes, very possible.

    Please see the info at this link:
    http://i-base.info/pregnancy

    More detailed information in the full guide that is linked at the bottom of this page.

  7. sap

    hi..I’m at around 35 years and HIV+ and am on ARV for 6 years…my life partner is Hiv-,,is it possible for us to have a child who will be hiv-??

  8. Robin Jakob

    Hi,

    You should tell your clinic or doctor about your continue d side effects they can then let you know if they have have an alternative available that they can change you too.

  9. Sabrina

    Please help me, i started ARV treatment of Teevir with 460 CD4 and it i gave me way so may side effects from constant fever, sleepless ness and burning sensation in my hands and feet..We run many blood test for TB or any other oppertunistic deseases but nothing could be dedected my kidneys and liver are still a good condition. But the side effects are very servere sometimes…should i change the drug or what should i do please advice…

  10. Simon Collins

    Hi Rajan

    HAART is an abbreviation for Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy. However, this is now quite an old fashioned term. For the last few years most people talk about ART (antiretroviral therapy) rather than HAART. They both mean the same thing though.

    HIV meds are definitely available in Nepal but they need to be prescribed by a doctor. You can not buy them without a prescription.

    Try contacting the Nepal Network of HIV Positive People.

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