Question
I’m 36 and HIV+, how long will I live?
27 February 2012. Related: All topics, Disclosure, Life expectancy, Living with HIV long-term.
Hi, I am 36 years old, diagnosed 2 years ago HIV Positive.
My CD4 is 547 and my viral load is under 5000 copies, I am still not on treatment and have no resistance to any of the main medications used. I have no other health problems, don’t smoke, eat well and exercise 4-5 times a week.
I know that I should reach a fairly good age but what is that likely to be? I still wonder whether I should bother making plans for pensions and I am feeling very low as I think I will have poor quality of life even if I do have another 25-30 years left.
Few people know that I am gay let alone positive which makes things difficult.
I would really like some help understanding what age I am likely to live until and what my quality of life will be.
Thanks in advance for an incredibly good website and source of information.
Answer
Hi,
Thanks for your question. It is great to hear that your CD4 Count is so high and that you are looking after your health.
You asked how long you can expect to live. This question is difficult to answer because of course each person is an individual. HIV affects everybody differently.
Being diagnosed early- when you still have a high CD4 count- is important in increasing life expectancy. A recent study looked at HIV positive men who have sex with men living in rich countries. It found that, when diagnosed early, life expectancy was 75 years. The study, which is quite technically worded, can be viewed at this link.
I hope this reassures you that you can expect to live almost as long as somebody who is HIV negative. You also said that you are worried about having a poor quality of life.
While living with HIV is not easy you can still have a good quality of life. Treatment and care within the UK is an excellent standard. We have access to the latest drugs. Serious side effects are much less common with new drugs, and are well managed.
You mentioned that you don’t have much support and that few people know that you are gay. This must be difficult when trying to cope with your recent diagnosis. You might be interested in meeting other gay men in the UK living with HIV. If you look at this link you will see ways to contact support groups for gay HIV positive men.
If you would like to talk to somebody within i-Base for more information you can call our free phoneline on 0808 800 6013.
Hi,
can i take ARV with cold press black seed oil and raw honey.
Let say, at 10pm i take ARV, then at 6am i take honey and black seed oil.
can honey and black seed oil affected the ARV?
Hi Raghav,
I’m sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis.
However, taking your HIV meds is the best way to look after your health. It sounds good that you’ve gained weight already.
Now that you’re on HIV treatment (ART) you can expect your health to improve. What HIV meds are you taking? And do you know your viral load result? Please let us know.
Here’s an Introduction to ART. There’s lots of info in this guide about what to expect now that you’re taking ART.
I am 32 male, my cd4 is 150 and was diagnosed hiv positive in april 2019. Since then I am on medication. I have gained weight but I sometimes are in constant fear that I am not healthy or so… What precautions should I take
Hi Wisdom C,
As Angelina says above, this question is difficult to answer because of course each person is an individual. HIV affects everybody differently. And there could be other factors that can affect life expectancy.
But do you have access to your CD4 count and viral load results? Having an undetectable viral load is a good predictor for a normal life expectancy wherever you live.
Please let us know what ARVs you’re taking along with your blood test results.
What is the life expectancy for a HIV positive patient that is 20years in Nigeria
Hi Shadrack,
If you have missed a dose you should take it as soon as you remember. So you took your dose as soon as you could. It’s fine and it doesn’t affect your daily routine. You can carry on at your normal time.
If you have only realised when you’re about to take your next dose do not take a double dose. Almost everyone will be late or miss a dose occasionally.
Hey, I need your guidance. I normally take my medicine in the morning @7am.Two weeks ago I woke up earlier to work on arrival I realized that I left my medicine home. I had no option but to wait till 6.30pm in the evening. I took my medicine at 6.45pm. This happened for my first time. Now, will this affect my daily routine ,and if it’s what should I do? Thank you.
Hi Ratesh.
As long as you take medication, so ARVs, there’s no reason why you’re life expectancy will be any different to people who are negative. And this includes India.
in India what is the life expectancy f HIV aids patience because it’s is not an advance county it is a developing country..?
Hi Orina,
If you’re ready then there’s no reason why your status should be a barrier.