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).
Hi Myra,
As long as your grandson is on effective treatment, there’s no reason why he can’t live a normal life span.
HI WE JUST FIND OUT THAT MY 18 YRS OLD GRANDSON HAS HIV IT IS HARD PILL TO SALLOW BUT BELIEVE THAAT HE WILL OUT LIVE ME AS ALONG WAS HE EAT RIGHT HE IS ONE OS THE SWEETEST KID A GRANDMOTHER CAN HAVE
Hi Devorah,
Even when someone has accepted their status and they’re getting on with their life, its common to feel like this every now and then. And I’m saying this from personal experience.
When you feel like this, maybe you can try to think about all the wonderful things in your life, or try not to focus on the HIV. Or you could, as others do, just have a few days of feeling depressed,there isn’t anything wrong with that. HIV is part of your life’s journey, but its not the defining part.
Hello, my name is devorah Im 47 years old and living with HIV since 2003 Im still undatectable since and CD4 above 700 but my biggest problem is sometimes felling depress about it I have a very high estime about myself all though why my ex husband give me this infection but I have learn to live with it taking my ART every day keeps me healthy but sometimes I it really makes me sad sometimes thinking of my status
Hello Michael, I’m sorry that you’re worrying about the way HIV can be transmitted. But for many people it is simply down to luck. There’s more information here about luck and statistics. It sounds like a really good idea to ask for counselling and speak to someone who can offer support. Can you ask at the clinic for this kind of support?
hello
I have suddenly developed a worrying tendency in which I have developed a lot of thoughts regarding my previous dangerous lifestyle which to my thinking has led me to acquire HIV. however am keen to monitor symptoms is there a way in which i could get help through testing and counseling.
thanks
Hi Tauseef,
It is possible to get ARVs in Pakistan, and for free. Have you tried your local HIV clinic, or the place were you were diagnosed? Are you able to talk to someone about your HIV? This could be a close friend or relative?
Some one plz help me I m from Pakistan there is no body to help me,how can i live long life with this hiv I’m poor I don’t have money to treat my self.
Hi Latasha,
Its common to feel like this when you’ve just been diagnosed. Is there anyone you can talk to, a close friend, or relative?
Though it may all seem very overwhelming, it does and will get better. HIV is no longer the illness it used to be. Its now very easy to treat. Its also possible to have a normal life expectancy and have a family.
Just give yourself some time to breath, and to come to terms with this. Was medication discussed with you? Is there anything specific you’d like to know?
Hi my name is Latasha I just found out I’m HIV positive. Three days of knowing it’s hard to swallow I feel like I’m in a dream. does it get better. Feeling lost