Question
Do I need to be more worried about my HIV status as I age?
11 February 2022. Related: All topics, CD4 and viral load, Life expectancy, Living with HIV long-term.
I’ve read by your 60th birthday, your body has all but stopped making new T cells, which find and destroy germs and other invaders.
Does that mean someone in their 60’s and HIV positive/undetectable and fit, healthy, takes care of themselves has to accept they have to start worrying about their health?
Answer
Hi, how are you doing?
No it does not. You are right that your immune system slows as you age. Like all bodily systems, ageing is a natural process and everything will start to slow down.
Being fit and healthy can help slow this but it is not something that can be stopped.
Being HIV positive does not mean you have anything extra to do. You are undetectable, this is great. HIV is not putting your immune system under any additional strain. People with HIV often have the same or even longer life expectancy than those without – this is due to more health check ups and incidental findings that can be managed earlier.
HIV is not going to affect you ageing in this way.
Josh.
Hi Ntwenhle, you do not need to avoid any food. Being HIV positive should not restrict your diet. Please follow this link for information about a balanced diet (regardless of HIV status): https://i-base.info/guides/side/diet-a-balanced-diet-and-your-health
If I am ask, is there any food that I should avoid since I started my arvs