Question
How long could I live taking ARVs with an undetectable viral load?
2 June 2011. Related: All topics, Living with HIV long-term, Side effects.
Hello good people out there,
I’m on treatment and my doctor is saying I’m improving and looking better. The problem I’m having is that I at times feel suicidal because I feel may be I will be dying soon. So I feel I have nothing to live for. How long can I live if my viral load remains undetectable and I am still on drugs?
Answer
Thank you for your question.
I am sorry to hear you are having such a difficult time coming to terms with being HIV positive. The good news is that with the treatments available today can give people with HIV a near normal life expectancy and a good quality of life so you have nothing to worry about. Having HIV no longer means you will die quickly. For more information please follow this link.
Which treatments are you taking? There is one treatment called efavirenz (also know as Sustiva or Stocrin) that can cause people to feel depressed and suicidal. If you are taking this treatment then you should speak to your HIV doctor about changing your medication. For more information please follow this link.
Hi Stha,
I’m very sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis, and that your boyfriend has left you. Being HIV positive shouldn’t stop you getting married and having a healthy and happy relationship in the future. Positive people get married, have children, and do all the things that HIV negative people do. Being HIV+ doesn’t have to mean that your plans for the future change.
If you are losing weight without trying to it is important to speak to your doctor about this. What do you mean when you say you are food insecure? If you are struggling to buy enough food to stay healthy there may be a support organisation that can help you. If you tell me where you live I will try to suggest a local organisation.
I was diagnosed with Hiv and immediately had to start on arvs. I have been on treatment for 6months now. my problem is that im losing weight and im food insecure. my boyfriend has left me because he tested negative. im angry and sad because one day I still want to get married, im only 23 years of age
Although it can seem scary starting treatment now can help you to stay healthy. HIV for most people can be easily managed and treated. This doesn’t mean it will always be easy or that HIV should been taken lightly. It does mean that if you are careful, you can live a long and healthy life. Please follow this link to our guide more information about starting treatment.
I’m scared. My CD4 count is 350 and I’m told I have to start treatment because my viral load is high. How many years do I have left before I die?
Hi Philile,
It’s important to talk to your doctor or HIV nurse about these symptoms. Any decision about starting HIV treatment need to be made together with your doctor and we can not assess symptoms online.
I’m hiv+ not taking drugs but I’m starting to get sores and a rash is it the right time to start treatment?
These results can’t be interpreted unless you include information about your previous results, and whether or not you are on treatment.
Hi Eddie
Generally yes, but you do need to allow for the limits of a ‘normal’ lifespan. For you, this might mean that ‘on average’ you might get another 25-30 years, because as we get older the risk of other health complications increases. But as this is also an average, some people will get longer than 30 years and some shorter.
If you were 80 when diagnosed, this doesn’t mean you would live to 115 :)
Hi I’m 53 years old, and have just been told that I’m HIV positive.
I have read that with the treatments available life expectancy is another 35 years?
Would this apply to someone of my age as well?
My vital load is 4800 . Please tell me is that bad . My cd4 is 350 an rising