Question
How long can someone live with HIV?
2 January 2018. Related: All topics, Life expectancy.
How long can a man live with HIV if he was around 18 years old and was healthy when he was infected, both with and without medication?
Answer
Modern HIV drugs mean that life expectancy is now similar for HIV positive people to the general population.
This is based on being diagnosed early and having access to treatment.
The wide range of factors related to life expectancy include: where you live, your income, access to health care, lifestyle (alcohol, drugs, tobacco, exercise and diet) and other infections like hepatitis, genetics and chance – good or bad luck.
Several large studies have been published showing that life expectancy for HIV positive people is very good, and near to an HIV negative person.
Without treatment, HIV will slowly progress in nearly everyone. This speed that HIV progresses varies from a few years to more than 20 years.
Note: this answer was updated in January 2018 from a question posted in August 2008..
MY twin brother tested positive to HIV but 3 months after he tested positive and 3 months after again he tested negative and til date hes still tests negative what could be the problem because he’s really confused.
Last week I tested positive to HIV, is it possible if I go to test in 3 months it will change to negative?
Hi Sarita,I’m not sure if the same medicines are available everywhere in India. What’s the name of the treatment your husband is taking?
Thank you, I will definately tell u about the medicine , but I want to know that where is the best treatment for HIV in India available. Please I want your help in this , or is it like ,everywhere the same medicine is available. The treatment has been started from today itself.Very recently we came to know about it.
Hi Sarita,
I’m sorry to hear about your husband’s recent diagnosis. How are you coping? What treatment has he started? Some HIV drugs can cause a rash so it is important to show this to his doctor to find out what the cause might be.
Sir,
my husband is hiv postive and his cd4 is 284, doctors says that he has being infected before 8 to 10 yrs back.he has got some pores on his forehead, of which treatment is going on, what can be the reason of this skin infection.We just came to know that is hiv positive.
Hello,
Your doctor or nurse should check your CD4 count using a blood test. There’s more information about CD4 tests here.
Passive smoking (being around people who smoke) may affect your health, but this is the same if you have HIV or not.
I have tested HIV positive, how do I get my CD4 count? And is it a problem to stay with a boy who smokes next to me? Can it affect my health?
Hello,
I can’t tell you how long your father will live. But the HIV treatment he has been offered is widely used and works well to control the virus. Do you know what his CD4 count it? Is he receiving treatment for his kidney problems?
My father is 55 years old and he is HIV+. He has kidney failure. Last month it was suggested that he take duovir (AZT + 3TC) and lopimune (lopinavir/r). Can you say how long my father will live?
White Blood Cell count (WBC) is not usually used to monitor the response after starting treatment. A WBC count is within the normal range (4,500 – 11,000). Although it is good that it is in this range this is not the best way to monitor HIV. Do you know what your CD4 count is?