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..
Hi
I jst got tested hiv positive n I dnt knw bwt my wife(nva told her)how can I approach her plz help me plz ,I’m afraid of losing her,wat if I found out dat she is nagetive?
Hi Bee,
Thanks for your comment. It is important that people get their CD4 count monitored regularly so that they start meds before they get ill. Lots of people can feel well with a very low CD4 count but still be at risk of developing opportunistic infections.
Before I started ARVs I felt healthy & didn’t even catch a cold. When I checked my CD4 count it was so low I was immediately put on meds. This was a month ago. Don’t predict your need for meds judging from how you feel
Hi
If you had a sever rash with efavirenz, then you should not use this drug again in the future.
your doctor should proably recommend a different type of drug for your next combination.
See this information on rash as a side effect.
sir,
recently i start ARV tiveer (efavirenz 600mg with two combinations) 10 days after complete rash coming my body. doctor stop medicine last 4 days back now rash 75% reduce.kindly pl tell me this medicine suitable or not .in case again start medicine how many days or weeks rash stay in my body (rash is dangers or this is common for all)
Hi,
As the question above explains the life expectancy for somebody with HIV who gets treatment is about the same as somebody who is not HIV+.
Does this person have access to ARVs?
I have a person who is HIV & she is 31 years old. How long do you assume she will live?
Hi Mercy,
Please see this similar question and then let me know if you need any further information.
I went for the test HIV am positive but my husband is negative what can we do and can we have a baby
Hi Tamika,
Are you having your CD4 count monitored? This is very important for deciding when to start treatment. Have a look at this page about CD4 counts and starting treatment.