Question
Does HIV medication increase the rate of ageing?
10 June 2010. Related: All topics, Living with HIV long-term.
Does HIV medication increase the rate of ageing? i.e do you tend to look much older more quickly because of HIV medication?
Answer
Thank you for your question.
HIV medication does not make you look older or increase the rate of aging.
Untreated, HIV infection itself, however, can increase the speed of some aspects of aging. Treating HIV and having an undetectable viral load is thought to reduce many of these risks.
A recent guide to HIV and aging, produced by another organisation, is at this link.
A technical article on some aspects of HIV and aging on the immune system is at this link.
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