Q and A

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

Answer: Angelina Namiba

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.

93 comments

  1. Bugga •

    I was tested positive and virus level was 2 lakhs (200,000) and my age is 54
    How long will I live?

  2. Roy Trevelion •

    Hi Nuella,

    Almost everyone will forget or be late at some time – and this will be fine.

    But there is a difference between an occasional missed dose and regularly forgetting on a daily or weekly basis. Please see this guide for more info.

    And please see these tips to help you remember your pills.

    Please tell us what meds are you taking. And if you have access to your CD4 count and viral load results, please let us know what they are.

  3. Nuella •

    I was tested positive September 2018 and I started treatment immediately.
    I don’t take my drug everyday because I do forget that I’m positive.
    Is not taking my drugs everyday a problem?

  4. Roy Trevelion •

    Hi Esethu,

    Thanks for your comment.

    It’s great that you’re ready to start HIV treatment (ART). And no, it’s not too late. The START study showed that HIV treatment has important benefits for your health, even if your CD4 count is still high.

    Please see this Introduction to ART for lots more info.

  5. Esethu •

    Hi Asha I tested positive on march and I was so shocked , I tell the doctor am not ready to start treatment until today now I think am ready so it’s not to late for me to start treatment?

  6. Lisa Thorley •

    Hi Asha,

    Please see Q 10 here: http://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions

  7. Asha •

    Hi my name is Asha from uganda, for how long can I stay alive because I tested HIV+ at 20yrs and started treatment

  8. Lisa Thorley •

    Hi Kim,

    What you’ve heard is wrong, please see Q10 here: http://i-base.info/qa/what-are-the-most-asked-questions

  9. Kim •

    I heard that you cannot survive more than 20yrs

  10. Roy Trevelion •

    Hi NSZ,

    Some ARVs can interact with some herbs and supplements. So it’s a good idea to tell your doctor if you plan to take any of these.

    However, taking ARVs and supplements at different times of the day like this, can help stop interaction if it is likely.

    Please see HIV drug interactions here.

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