How long people can live with HIV infection is currently a question being asked by many patients who are looking for an answer. Health professionals know that the life expectancy of an HIV-positive person is similar to that of an HIV-negative person if the patient is diagnosed promptly, receives medically prescribed treatment, and follows appropriate control measures. However, the question remains: how long can people with HIV live without treatment? Docosan will clarify this question in the article below.
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HIV test kit – A product to quickly check the disease of the century
HIV is an immunodeficiency syndrome caused by a virus called the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It is considered one of the most dangerous sexually transmitted diseases, as it can potentially threaten human life if not detected early and appropriate control measures are taken. Health experts recommend proactive testing for all individuals who engage in risky behavior, show symptoms of HIV infection, or suspect they may have been infected. This can help ensure that appropriate measures are taken promptly.
Many patients are afraid to go to clinics to get tested due to fear of being judged by others or not having time to arrange. Understanding the psychology and needs of many people, Docosan provides HIV and syphilis test kits for home use. In just 15 minutes, patients can know if they are HIV-positive.
Whether your test result is positive or negative, Docosan will connect you with a doctor for online consultation. Your doctor can provide advice on how to have a safe, healthy, and infection-free sex life. In the case of a positive result, the doctor will also explain how long the HIV infection can persist in your case.
How long does HIV infection live?
From the day HIV was discovered until now, it remains a disease with many unknowns and unanswered questions. Although scientists have clearly understood the nature of the virus, they have not been able to find a cure for this disease. Therefore, the lifespan of an HIV infection is currently a concern for many people.
How long can people with HIV live? – According to research, people with HIV have a shorter life expectancy compared to those who are not infected. However, specific numbers cannot be given because life expectancy depends on many physical factors, the patient’s condition, and disease progression. Nevertheless, with the development of medicine, ways to control the disease have been found, resulting in many cases where the life expectancy of people living with HIV is similar to that of those who are not infected.
How long do children with HIV live?
Children under the age of 18 (16 according to regulations in Vietnam) are the target group. Children infected with HIV can be divided into two main groups: those infected through mother-to-child transmission and those infected due to risky behaviors such as sex and drug injection. In particular, the group of children infected with HIV from birth is at a higher risk of infection. At a young age, the immune system is not fully developed, so the mortality rate is higher compared to healthy children.
How long do people with HIV live without treatment?
In case a person is infected with HIV but is not treated, the HIV virus will attack and completely destroy the immune system, potentially turning to AIDS.
How long do people with AIDS live?
AIDS is the final stage of HIV, which occurs when the body’s immune system is severely damaged, leaving the body vulnerable to infections such as shingles, thrush, tuberculosis, and esophageal candidiasis. Typically, when HIV progresses to the end stage, the CD4 T-cell count drops below 200 per cubic millimeter of blood, while the viral load increases dramatically. Once a person’s CD4 count reaches this level, AIDS is diagnosed. At this stage, the mortality rate of people living with HIV increases significantly.
Without treatment, people who have progressed to AIDS can live for about 3 years. However, if an additional dangerous opportunistic infection occurs, the person’s survival time can be shortened to 1 year. Fortunately, modern medicine has significantly increased the life expectancy of people with AIDS. By using a combination of medicines with HIV treatment, the virus can be stopped from replicating and the body’s immune system can be rebuilt.
The life expectancy of someone living with HIV is similar to that of an HIV-negative person as long as they are diagnosed promptly and have good access to medical care.
The secret to helping people living with HIV live a healthy life is to have good disease control
As a result, those who are infected with HIV are also affected by negative thoughts and judgments from others. It is important to ignore these negative opinions and replace them with positive thoughts in order to live with the disease while maintaining a healthy lifestyle and good disease control. To achieve this, the following steps are recommended:
This is one of the important issues that people living with HIV must not ignore. Absolutely follow the ARV treatment process to avoid drug resistance. Compliance can help you achieve up to 97% efficiency.
This can be achieved by not forgetting to take a pill each day. Make it a habit to set an alarm to remind you to take your medication, store it in a visible place, and always carry it with you when you go out in case it is close to the time to take your medication. Additionally, it is important to monitor your health and have a CD4 test every 6 months at a medical facility to assess your immune status.
Take measures to prevent infection to other objects
Since you have HIV, it’s important to take the following safety measures to prevent infecting others:
- The most effective way to prevent HIV and STI transmission is to avoid sex altogether.
- If you do engage in sexual activity, always use a condom, or ensure that your partner does so to prevent infection. Additionally, partners should get tested for HIV if they suspect they may be infected.
- Do not donate blood, even in emergency situations.
- Do not share syringes or needles.
- Do not share items that can pierce the skin or mucous membranes, such as razors, toothbrushes, tattoo needles, or ear-piercing needles.
Release anxiety and stress
Relieving anxiety and stress is crucial for anyone living with HIV. According to some reports, people with HIV die quickly, mainly due to depression, despair, and loss of confidence caused by societal discrimination and stigmatization. To avoid falling into this trap, try talking to your HIV doctor, a loved one, a friend, or someone else who is living with the disease to find empathy.
In addition, people living with HIV should develop habits such as reading, listening to music, exercising, or doing their favorite activities to relieve anxiety. And remember to keep your mind relaxed, avoid overthinking, and don’t worry too much about what others think of you.
The question of how long a person can live with HIV infection has been clarified in the above article by Docosan. The life expectancy of people living with HIV depends on many different factors, with an active role being the maintenance of the treatment process and the patient’s determination. Even if you are infected, you need to maintain an optimistic attitude and work with a medical professional to treat and build a healthy life.
The article is consulted from doctors and reliable domestic and foreign sources.
