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 want to know abou my staytus
Hi Sk,
Please can you give us some more information? What are the groups you want to contact, and is it about access to treatment for HIV?
Direct me to some groups around Kumasi Ghana
Hi Daniel,
Please show you rashes to your doctor. You can ask for a diagnosis and treatment.
I was tested of HIV and my doctor confirmed me nagative but i still see some symptoms that looks like HIV,like rashes around my private part…pls advice me
Hi Tiffany,
It sounds like you’re already doing the best thing possible, you’re there for him and you’re supporting him. This is really important.
Its important to know that it takes time for people to come to terms with their status. Though his status may bother him now, it does get easier. Its a matter of time.
Hello,
My brother has HIV I would encourage him to join a support group. He has been doing great taking his medications, exercises, and eats healthy meals but the only problem is that I know it bother’s him knowing that he has it. I’m consistent with talking positive about his condition but I know it still bother’s him. What else can I do to help?
Tiffany
Hi Tabi,
Yes, a year is enough. Please see this link for info on window periods for HIV tests.
Sir after contact hiv blood how many times take to positive results sir one year is enough please clear
Hi Janis,
There’s no reason why your partners status should be an issue. Its common for negative people to marry positive. If you’re concerned about contracting HIV, as long as your partners viral load is undetectable there isn’t any risk. Please see here: http://i-base.info/u-equals-u/