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..
Thank-you for your reply.
Actually my cd4 count was 306 in November 2011 march 2012 cd4 is 328 again 277.
I am asking homeopathic doctor why is dropping cd4 count. My doctor told me my cd8 is 2059 in march 2012 now July 2012 cd8 is 1689. Sir pl tell me cd8 drops good or bad?
Hello,
If you’ve had two negative test results, one of which was after 6 months, then you do not have HIV.
Can you explain to me what you mean by a ‘vani female’?
sir,
i am vani female august 2010 to October 2011 intact sex with HIV positive person i also check HIV test in November 2011 that will be negative and after six months July 2012 also checked hiv test that is also negative pl kindly tell me in future any hiv infection enter to my body or not
Hi TK,
Your CD4 count will go down over time but while it is above 200 your changes of getting ill are very low. Eating healthily and exercising, not smoking or taking drugs, and avoiding stress will all help to keep you healthy. Only HIV treatment can increase your CD4 count but looking after your body may help keep it high for a bit longer.
Thank you!so I was wondering if u want to keep my CD4 high and keep being healthy what should I do or not?really scared of being sick.so scary omg
Hi TK,
A CD4 count of 510 is very good. A ‘normal’ CD4 count for somebody without HIV is between 400-1600. This is a sign that your immune system is still very strong, and means you shouldn’t be at risk of any opportunsitic infections.
In most countries treatment isn’t recommended until your CD4 count is below 350. In the USA this is 500, but I’m not sure what the recommendation is in China. Please follow this link for more information about CD4 counts and starting treatment.
Hey Rebecca thks .actually I don’t live in the uk I live in china!and can u tell me more about the CD4! Mine is 510 when would I have to take any medication?
Hi Hari,
Homeopathy does not treat HIV. You CD4 count (the most important of these results) is dropping, which shows that your immune system is getting weaker. The only treatment which works for HIV is antiretrovirals (ARVs). It’s important that you see an HIV doctor to start treatment soon. Most recommendations suggest starting treatment when your CD4 is 350 or less so with a CD4 of 277 it’s a good idea to think about starting treatment in the next few months. Our Introduction to combination therapy treatment guide has more information about ARVs and starting treatment.
Sir,
4months back my cd3 count is 2488cell/ml and cd4 count 328 and cd8 count 2059
% of CD4 T lymphocyte 11 % & % of CD8 T lymphocyte 71 %
After homeopathy treatment now cd3 is 2046 and cd4 is 277 and cd8 is 1689
% of CD4 T lymphocyte : 12 % & % of CD8 T lymphocyte : 70 %
pl kindly tell me any doctors or experts treatment working or not please save my life
Hi TK,
I’m very sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis. Finding out you are HIV positive can be very difficult and it’s normal to be frightened and upset.You might find it easier to talk to somebody you don’t know first of all. There are lots of helplines for people who have found out they are positive. If you live in the UK you can call i-Base on 0808 800 6013. If you’re not in the UK let me know where you are and I will put you in touch with a local organisation.