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 Lisa, things will be okay. It is a shock to learn you are positive but it does get easier. Modern treatment means your life will still be as long and fulfilling as before you learnt this news. It would be good to talk to someone you can trust. If you are worried about your friends and family, ask if your clinic has a health advisor or if they know of a support group that is close to you.
These two links might have information about both these things.
http://i-base.info/just-found-out
http://i-base.info/who-can-i-talk-to
hello every one….am from africa, i was recently diagnosed with hiv am so scared, i haven’t told anyone about it and i don’t know whom to talk too.
Hi Mel
HIV meds are very effective – even when someone has advanced HIV with a very low CD4 count that is less than 50. If you sister starts HIV meds she has a very good chance to recover and then have good health for a normal life again. Please tell your sister this. Many people have started with CD4 counts lower than your sister and had recovered well.
Unless there is another infection that needs to be treated first – for example TB meds – the clinic should start treatment now. She will also need to take antibiotics called cotrimoxazole to protect here from other infections until the CD4 count becomes higher again.
The first month or two might be more difficult because sometimes new infections occur as a response of having a stronger immune system. These are all usually treatable and they are not linked to treated but to getting better.
Please write if you have other questions.
Hi all…I need help please everyone. We just found out yesterday my 55 year old sister has AIDS… am I correct in saying what I read… her blood count is 17 and very thin and hardly eat.. is there hope ? We are just supporting her and pumping positiveness into her because she is so down and cries all the time. She is at the local clinic for counseling and medication.. please give advise I cry out… thank you everyone
Thanks Shehan, there has definitely been remarkable progress since the 90s and new research is continuing this.
For all HIV positive people, keep the hope that HIV cure also possibly on the way. Many news about that is coming. Also other Medications have made the disease like a Chronic Illness like diabetes, High Blood pressure where almost 30% of world population live with and considered normal. It is important to keep the hopes, refrain from thinking, then that mental status will make you sick more than HIV. It is difficult but we are much better than 1990’s when thee was nothing. Infact, since Hiv People take anti-virals, they may get less viral infections than normal people, also they are more careful, thus they can have a better health than others. Thank you for the great people with HIV who have courage to share their stories and motivate others.
Hi Lisa, thanks so much for adding your experience to this conversation. Your story will give other people hope and inspiration. Good luck for the future.
It is a scary virus to live with, but you are fortunate that there are a plethora of treatment options for you. I have been HIV positive my whole life. I contracted HIV through a blood transfusion at birth. I am currently 33 years old. I am in fair health, very thankful there is treatment options, because when I was diagnosed in 1991, there was nothing. I was seriously ill for a long time when I was 12, my battle scars run deep, but, I did survive, and am still surviving. I am married and our daughter is almost 5. Life can be good.
Hi Tania, it is best to wait for the next test results. Often the first result can be wrong if you are not at high risk. If the second results are positive, then get in touch for more information. HIV is now an easy to treat infection that enables people to have a long and active life
I recently tested for Hiv results came back reactive my doctor took another blood from me to check my viral load. I am so scared and worried to die. I think about my status all the time…what can I do!