Question
How long can I live if I’m taking HIV treatment (ART)?
15 January 2018. Related: All topics, Life expectancy, Living with HIV long-term.
Can HIV kill when you have an undetectable viral load? I’m doing well on medication and how long can i live to the cure? Lastly, why cant I stop thinking about my HIV status – first thing in the morning and also just before I fall asleep?
Polio have been eradicated but why cant scientists do the same for HIV?
Answer
The quick answer is that with modern HIV drugs (called ART) your life expectancy is likely to be similar to if you were HIV negative. The earlier someone is diagnosed and start ART, the quicker any damage from HIV can be reversed.
For most people, HIV is easy to treat and easy to manage. ART can give you a normal life expectancy and an excellent quality of life.
Hw long anyone will live depends on things you can change (smoking, exercise, medication) and thing you can’t (genetics and luck). A study in Denmark (2005) estimated that the survival is more than 35 years for a young person diagnosed with HIV infection and another study in Canada (2003) report that in the US, life expectancy at age 20 years was an additional 58.3 years.
As long as your CD4 count stays above 200 cells/mm3, the risk of most HIV complications is pretty low. At higher CD4 levels – above 350, or 500, or 700 – the risk becomes lower still. Although some health problems are slightly higher in HIV positive people compared to HIV negative people, these risks are also often reduced by ART.
If you continue to take your medication as prescribed and do not miss or taking doses late, then the risk of HIV health problems in the future s very low. However, just as HIV negative people become ill, lifestyle changes to reduce these risks are important if you are HIV positive. For example, keeping mentally and physically active, eating a balanced diet, resting well, not smoking etc).
Having HIV might not always be easy though. The shock of being diagnosed sometimes takes a long time to come to terms with and at the moment you are still working on this. Already, I am sure you feel better than when you were first diagnosed and this will continue to become easier every year.
Most people worry about the impact of HIV on their life. This could bewhy you think about your HIV status on a daily basis. If this continues to be difficult perhaps get in touch with a local support group or ask about counselling. Talking about your HIV status can help you to deal with it and also through group support you can share experiences and also learn from one another. You do not have to deal with it in isolation.
Finally, you asked about research into a cure. HIV is very complex in a way that is different to polio. Although currently there is no vaccine or cure, there is a lot of ongoing research.
HIV treatment is one of the successes of modern medicine. The breadth and expertise in scientific advances has not only developed 30 medications in five drug classes but this research has contributed to many other areas of medicine.
Even though curing HIV is difficult, there are lots of reasons to be optimistic.
This question was updated in January 2018 from an original answer posted in November 2011. (See: Question 10 at this link for more information).
I’m Micky and I was diagnosed with HIV just last week and it doesn’t bother me that much. I know it might confuse you guys or have sleepless nights but HIV is just as some other diseases, you shouldn’t worry about it. You will leave a normal life just like others who doesn’t have HIV. At first when I was told that I’m HIV positive I was like bothered for real but it happened 4 few hours then I was fine because I know the more you stress about it the fast you will get ill. Besides I told my gf about it and she didn’t even worry about it. We still dating and the most amazing thing is she is asking for sex like never before, I’m starting to wonder if she is the one infected me with HIV but non of it matters coz I have it. So my advice to all of you who have been diagnosed with HIV is don’t bother yourself about it. Besides who told you that you will die from HIV,maybe you will die from car accident or gun shot or any other? If you worry yourself that much how about people with cancer? The only problem with HIV is that it is a shameful disease but though lot of people have HIV but they just don’t want to share it. Guys take your medications everyday and avoid sharing HIV meaning limit your partners, thanks a lot guys.
Hi Jessica,
If your boyfriend has been taking ARVs and his viral load is undetectable then its highly unlikely that you contracted HIV from him. This is because the risk of transmission when undetectable is close to zero. Please see the results of the PARTNER study for more info:
http://i-base.info/qa-on-the-partner-study/
When was it that you were diagnosed?
Other than this boyfriend have you have any other risks sexually?
How is dating someone for a long time for about 6 months and he started flying out to Hawaii right before he threw out I went into the bathroom I was using the bathroom and I was going through some stuff looking for my makeup and I found these medicine call Geneva right before we ever even have sex we talked about the HIV status and he told me he was negative and I also told him that I was negative and I was for sure a negative and throughout that pass I found those bottles and they were 4 people that carries HIV and after a few weeks I got tested and I was hiv-positive is not a crime he lied to me and told me he was negative or whatever you want to call it afterwards undetectable now he wants to accuse me that I took it from somebody else
Hi Ker,
Being diagnosed with HIV can be difficult. And its very common to feel depressed and hopeless. In this you aren’t alone. It does though get easier. Just give yourself some time to breath, and slow down. Is there anyone you can talk to? A close friend, family member or even access peer support? Reading this may help:
http://i-base.info/hiv-positive/
Talking helps, as too is knowing that HIV is no longer like it used to be. HIV is now a very manageable health condition and one that is easily treated. People all over the world who are positive lead active and healthy lives. There’s no reason why you can’t have this too.
ARVs really do work, and work well. Because you’re about to start ARVs, this may help:
http://i-base.info/guides/starting
You life isn’t ruined, this is just the start of a new chapter.
Just recently diagnosed, I’m totally depressed and hopeless. There are times I wish that I could be hit by a truck while driving.
I am in medical field too, I’ll start ARV this week. My life is ruined.
Hi Shaila,
If you are worried that you may have contracted HIV, you will need to test.
As for if you should stay with your bf or not, only you can deiced this. But leaving someone because they are HIV positive isn’t something that HIV advocates would promote.
My bf is HIV positive… we’ve been in a relationship for 6 years. Should I stay with him? Am I also HIV positive?
Hi Kgothatso,
A CD4 of 472 is OK. It will rise with the medication. Is there any reason why she isn’t seeing a pediatric specialist? And importantly, how is she doing? Has she been told yet that she is positive? Has she been able to get support that’s for children living with HIV?
If you want to discuss this off the forum, please email me here:
lisa.thorley@i-base.org.uk
Hi Lisa
Her CD4 count is 472. And her doctor is not pediatric HIV specialist.(she is just a nurse)
Hi Alan,
When was it that you were infected with HIV? Have to started meds? Have you been able to get any support?
When diagnosed with HIV it can feel like your life is over. However, its only over if you choose for it to be over. As someone who’s gotten into med school, this means that you’re smart. It also means that if you choose to you can have a great life. And really help others.
In response to your direct question. In my personal opinion, yes it is worth continuing with your studies. This is because HIV doesn’t define you as a person. At the end of the day, its now a very manageable health condition. And one that shouldn’t destabilize your life.