How long can you live with HIV untreated?
Left untreated, HIV is inevitably fatal, with a median survival time from seroconversion of 8 to 10 years [2]. However, the widespread introduction of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) in many countries in the mid-1990s resulted in a rapid and dramatic reduction in mortality in those living with HIV [3,4].Nov 27, 2013
Can a person with HIV live without treatment?
If a person with HIV receives consistent antiretroviral therapy before the infection advances, they can live a long, healthy life, with a life expectancy comparable to that of someone without HIV. Without treatment, a person may develop stage 3 HIV 2–15 years after contracting the infection.
Can you live with HIV for 30 years without treatment?
Thirty years ago, being diagnosed with HIV was considered a death sentence. Today, people with HIV can live long and healthy lives. That's why routine HIV screening is vital. Early detection and timely treatment are key to managing the virus, extending life expectancy, and reducing the risk of transmission.
How long can a person live without HIV?
One recent study used mathematical modeling to predict that some HIV positive people (perhaps 10% or more) may live up to 25 years without getting AIDS. Because HIV has only been studied since the early 1980s, we cannot say at this time how accurate this mathematical model may be.
How long can a person live with AIDS?
A person can potentially live for years, even with full-blown AIDS, but just how many years is highly variable from person to person. What we can say is that the vast majority of people infected with HIV will develop AIDS sometime during their life (an average of 10 years or more after infection), and with early intervention and treatment, ...
What is the phone number for the Centers for Disease Control?
If you have any further questions, please feel free to call the Centers for Disease Control at 1.800.232.4636 (Nationwide). You should know: The answer above provides general health information that is not intended to replace medical advice or treatment recommendations from a qualified health care professional.
Is HIV still alive?
This is because there are some people who have been infected for many years (since the epidemic was first recognized in the early 1980s), and they are still alive today. Some of these patients have been found to have rare genetically defective strains of HIV that are not causing them any significant illness thus far.
Can HIV be drug resistant?
Drug resistant strains of HIV. People who have drug resistant strains of HIV may not live as long, if the drugs that are available are no longer effective. But if a person is responding well to their medications, they are expected to live longer. The genetic make-up of the person. A few people have genetic mutations in their white blood cells ...
Do people who have other medical problems live longer?
People who have other medical problems, and/or those with a history of substance abuse, may not live as long. How well the person takes care of themselves emotionally.
Is HIV more virulent than other strains?
The virulence of the strain of HIV. Some strains of HIV may be more virulent than others. We have already found cases where a person was infected with a rare genetically defective strain of HIV, and that strain was not causing any significant illness (so far). Drug resistant strains of HIV.
How long does HIV last?
In the case of an untreated HIV infection, the overall mortality rate is more than 90%. The average time from infection to death is eight to ten years. This may; however, vary from person to person. Many factors affect survival:
How long does it take for HIV to progress?
If ART is not given, a chronic HIV infection usually advances to AIDS in 10 years or longer. In some people, however, it may advance faster. If ART is administered, the person may stay in this stage for several decades.
What is the final stage of HIV?
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome ( AIDS) is the final and most severe stage of HIV. In this stage, HIV reduces CD4 cell counts to very low levels (less than 200 units), which severely damages the immune system.
What is a swollen lymph node?
Swollen lymph nodes (glands that protect from infections; they can be felt when swollen in the armpits, groin and neck) In the acute stage, the virus multiplies rapidly and spreads throughout the body. HIV targets and destroys the CD4 cells (the infection-fighting cells of the immune system); in this stage of HIV infection, ...
What is the stage of asymptomatic HIV?
Chronic HIV infection. This is the stage of asymptomatic HIV infection or clinical latency. In this stage, the symptoms of stage one go away but the HIV infection continues to multiply in the body, though at very low levels.
What is an opportunistic infection?
Opportunistic infections are infections and infection-related cancers that occur more frequently or are more severe in people with weakened immune systems than in people with healthy immune systems. Once a person progresses to AIDS, they have a high viral load and can transmit HIV to others very easily. In the absence of treatment, people ...
What are the symptoms of a moderately symptomatic stage?
Moderately symptomatic stage. In this stage, due to disease progression, certain symptoms appear: Weight loss that is greater than 10% of the person’s total body weight. Prolonged (more than one month) of unexplained diarrhea. Tuberculosis and other severe infections of the lungs, kidney, brain, bones, and joints.
How long does a person with HIV live with a CD4 count of 200?
The life expectancy between those whose CD4 count is less than 200 at the start of treatment is 8 years less than those whose count is over 200 at the same time. 2 . Smokers with HIV lose more life-years to smoking than to HIV. In fact, the risk of death from smoking is twice as high among smokers with HIV , and can trim ...
How to determine life expectancy?
When looking at both static and dynamic risk factors, we can begin to identify where an individual can gain or lose life-years without even knowing it. Among them: 1 A person's CD4 count at the start of treatment remains one of the strongest indicators of life expectancy. The life expectancy between those whose CD4 count is less than 200 at the start of treatment is 8 years less than those whose count is over 200 at the same time. 2 2 Smokers with HIV lose more life-years to smoking than to HIV. In fact, the risk of death from smoking is twice as high among smokers with HIV , and can trim as much as 10 years a person's lifespan irrespective of HIV. 6 3 Race and longevity are integrally linked to HIV. According to a 2012 study, the mortality rate among HIV-positive Blacks was 13% higher than the rate for Whites and 47% higher than the rate for Hispanic populations. 7 4 Injecting drug users suffer losses, both in terms of HIV-and non-HIV-related illnesses. The strongest contributing factors were poor adherence and hepatitis C co-infection. All told, mortality rates are nearly twice as high for HIV-positive injecting drug users than HIV-positive non-injecting drug users. 8
What are the factors that affect life expectancy?
Gains and Losses in Life Years. Factors that influence life expectancy are either static (fix ed) or dynamic (able to change over time). Static factors, like race or sexual orientation, influence life expectancy because they are ones people are often unable to escape.
Can a 20 year old live with HIV?
With advances in antiretroviral therapy, people with HIV can today expect to live longer and healthier than ever If treatment is started early and taken daily as directed. 1 . A 20-year-old started on HIV therapy can expect to live into his ...
Does HIV affect longevity?
From an individual perspective, longevity is subject to numerous factors that can either increase or decrease life expectancy in a person with HIV.
Can statistics predict infection?
It is important to remember that statistics are not a prognosis. They cannot predict what will happen during the course of an infection. They can only suggest what you steps you can take to minimize the risk of illness based on the factors you, as an individual, can readily change.
Is HIV a long term concern?
Moreover, HIV is really only part of the long-term concern. Even for those able to maintain an undetectable viral load, the risk of non-HIV-associated diseases, like cancer and heart disease, is far greater than in the general population and can occur anywhere from 10 to 15 years earlier. 4 .
How long does life expectancy last after HIV treatment?
This may have occurred before HIV was diagnosed and/or before HIV treatment was begun. These illnesses have a negative impact on life expectancy. Results one year after starting HIV treatment. Studies show that life expectancy is better for people who respond well within a year of starting treatment than for people who do not.
Why is life expectancy shorter for HIV patients?
Injecting drug use – life expectancy is shorter for people with HIV who inject drugs, due to drug overdoses and bacterial infections. It’s also important to consider things that affect everyone’s life expectancy, whether or not they have HIV.
How can HIV affect your life?
People who have a good response to HIV treatment have excellent long-term prospects. You can increase your life expectancy by not smoking and having a healthy lifestyle . HIV-positive people are living increasingly long lives.
How long can a 50 year old live?
Among men, a 35 year old and a 50 year old could expect to live to 78 and 81 years respectively. Among women, a 35 year old and a 50 year old were predicted to live to 81 and 83 years respectively. For people whose initial response to treatment was not quite so good, life expectancy was a little shorter.
How does HIV help people?
People living with HIV will benefit from improved anti-HIV drugs that have fewer side-effects, are easier to take and are more effective in suppressing HIV. Doctors’ understanding of how best to prevent and treat heart disease, diabetes, cancers and other conditions in people with HIV is improving.
Why is life expectancy longer?
Lifestyle – life expectancy is longer for people who have a balanced diet, are physically active, maintain a healthy weight, avoid excess alcohol or drug use, and remain socially connected. Avoiding smoking is particularly important for life expectancy.
When do HIV deaths occur?
When deaths do occur, they usually happen in the first year after diagnosis and involve people who were diagnosed with HIV very late, when they were already very ill because of HIV. In many of these cases, the person did not attend an HIV clinic or did not take HIV treatment, or only did so irregularly.
How long does a person live with HIV in 2011?
In 2011, the total life expectancy bumped up to about 70 years. The survival rate for HIV-positive people has also dramatically improved since the first days of the HIV epidemic. For example, researchers. Trusted Source.
How does HIV affect life expectancy?
HIV can quickly cause damage to the immune system and lead to stage 3 HIV, so getting timely treatment can help improve life expectancy. People living with HIV should visit their healthcare provider regularly and treat other health conditions as they arise.
Why are opportunistic infections life threatening?
These opportunistic infections may become life-threatening because they can damage the immune system when it’s already weak. If a person living with HIV develops an opportunistic infection, they will be diagnosed with stage 3 HIV, or AIDS. Some opportunistic infections include: tuberculosis. recurring pneumonia.
Why are people living with HIV?
Trusted Source. U.S. people are living with HIV, but fewer are contracting the virus each year. This may be because of increased testing and advances in treatment. Regular antiretroviral treatment can reduce HIV in the blood to undetectable levels. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
How many cells are needed for stage 3 HIV?
A healthcare provider will likely diagnose stage 3 HIV if the number of certain white blood cells ( CD4 cells) in an HIV-positive person’s immune system drops below 200 cells per mL of blood. Life expectancy is different for every person living with stage 3 HIV. Some people may die within months of this diagnosis, ...
Why is routine HIV screening important?
That’s why routine HIV screening is vital. Early detection and timely treatment are key to managing the virus, extending life expectancy, and reducing the risk of transmission. Those who remain untreated are more likely to experience complications from HIV that could lead to illness and death.
What is the purpose of viral load suppression?
entry inhibitors. integrase inhibitors. Viral-load suppression allows people with HIV to live healthy lives and decreases their chances of developing stage 3 HIV. The other benefit of an undetectable viral load is that it helps reduce transmission of HIV.
How long does it take to get rid of HIV?
There is no effective cure for HIV. But with proper medical care, you can control HIV. Most people can get the virus under control within six months. Taking HIV medicine does not prevent transmission ...
How does treatment help prevent HIV?
Having an undetectable viral load may also help prevent transmission from injection drug use.
What does it mean when your HIV is suppressed?
Viral suppression is defined as having less than 200 copies of HIV per milliliter of blood. HIV medicine can make the viral load so low that a test can’t detect it (called an undetectable viral load ). If your viral load goes down after starting HIV treatment, that means treatment is working.
What is the amount of HIV in the blood called?
The amount of HIV in the blood is called viral load . Taking your HIV medicine as prescribed will help keep your viral load low and your CD4 cell count high. HIV medicine can make the viral load very low (called viral suppression ). Viral suppression is defined as having less than 200 copies of HIV per milliliter of blood.
What happens if you skip your medication?
If you skip your medications, even now and then, you are giving HIV the chance to multiply rapidly. This could weaken your immune system, and you could become sick. Getting and keeping an undetectable viral load (or staying virally suppressed) is the best way to stay healthy and protect others.
How long does it take for a mother to give her baby HIV?
If a mother with HIV takes HIV medicine as prescribed throughout pregnancy, labor, and delivery and gives HIV medicine to her baby for 4 to 6 weeks after birth, the risk of transmitting HIV to her baby can be 1% or less.
Why is it important to take HIV medication?
Taking HIV medication consistently, as prescribed, helps prevent drug resistance. Drug resistance develops when people with HIV are inconsistent with taking their HIV medication as prescribed. The virus can change (mutate) and will no longer respond to certain HIV medication. If you develop drug resistance, it will limit your options ...
How many people with HIV are not receiving medical care?
Additionally, as much as two-thirds of people diagnosed with HIV are not receiving medical care or regularly taking antiretroviral medications that can keep the fatal disease from progressing. New research from the Centers for Disease Con... 01:09. "For people living with HIV, it's not just about knowing you're infected -- it's also about going ...
How has HIV helped people?
Advances in scientific research on HIV have helped to develop medication that transformed a once deadly virus into a chronic condition. This has allowed people with HIV to live long and full lives. However, despite the effectiveness of antiretroviral medications, many Americans who have been diagnosed with HIV are not monitored by doctors ...
How does antiretroviral medication affect HIV?
When used appropriately, antiretroviral medications can keep HIV viral load at extremely low levels in the body, and significantly reduce the risk of viral transmission. Viral suppression allows HIV-positive individuals to live a near average lifespan.
What percentage of people with HIV are prescribed antiretroviral drugs?
However, only 40 percent of HIV patients were actively receiving medical support to manage the disease. Additionally, only 37 percent of people with HIV were prescribed antiretroviral medications and 30 percent achieved viral suppression with the drugs.
How many people with HIV have achieved viral suppression?
Significantly fewer young people with HIV accessed services to maintain viral suppression. The researchers found only 13 percent of HIV patients aged 18 to 24 had achieved viral suppression, though that percent doubled for people aged 35 too 44.
How many people in the US were tested for HIV in 2011?
The CDC report is based on 2011 data from the National HIV Surveillance System and Medical Monitoring Project. In 2011, there were approximately 1.2 million people living with HIV in the U.S., and 86 percent had been tested for the virus.
What is the purpose of the federal, state and community programs?
A significant number of federal, state and community programs aim to make treatment less expensive and more widely available , though the report indicates more work must be done to connect HIV patients with medical care.
What happens if you leave HIV untreated?
In all but a few rare cases, if left untreated, HIV will progress to a stage of infection called AIDS. This is when the immune defenses have been compromised, and the body is less able to defend itself against potentially life-threatening infections. 2:51.
How long does a virus last?
This chronic (or latent) stage of infection can last for years and even decades in some individuals until such time as the hidden viruses are reactivated (most often when the immune system is fully compromised and later-stage OI develops).
What changes if a person receives no treatment?
A person's genetics or family history. Smoking and other personal lifestyle choices. This is, of course, if the person receives no treatment. The picture changes entirely if he or she does. 1 . Since 1996, the introduction of antiretroviral drugs has dramatically altered the natural progression of HIV infection.
What is genetic HIV?
The genetic strain of HIV a person has been infected with (some of which may be more or less virulent than others) The general health of the individual. The place where the person lives (including healthcare access and the incidence of other diseases or infections) A person's genetics or family history.
Can HIV be cured?
While HIV still cannot be cured, people newly diagnosed with HIV who get treated and stay in care can be expected to have near-normal to normal life expectancies. As with other chronic diseases, early detection is key to identifying and treating the infection as soon as possible. 2 .
What The Current Research Says
Factors That Reduce Life Expectancy
- Despite these advances, there are factors that can increase or decrease the life expectancy of people with HIV. These range from things we can control (such as taking our pills every day) to things we can't (such as race or poverty). These factors not only influence not only how a person responds to treatment but whether they are able to access treatment in the first place.5 Becaus…
Losses in Life Years
- There is not always a straight line between how certain risk factors increase or decrease the life expectancy of someone with HIV. This is because people tend to have overlapping risk factors. Take, for example, Black men who have sex with men (MSM). The combination of racism, poverty, homophobia, and stigma—as well as the biological vulnerabilities to HIV—places Black MSM in t…
Summary
- Studies show that people living with HIV today can expect to live a near-normal life expectancy if treatment is started early and taken every day as prescribed. Even so, there are things that can undermine a person's ability to do so. This includes factors likes poverty, stigma, racism, and homophobia that can stand in a person's way of accessing consistent care and treatment. Othe…
A Word from Verywell
- As encouraging as the statistics are, it doesn't mean you have less to worry about when it comes to HIV. In the end, the choices you make will determine how well you respond to treatment and influence your individual risk of both HIV- and non-HIV-related illnesses. Ultimately, HIV is about more than just pills. You need to also take of your general health by eating a healthy diet, exercis…