Getting prompt treatment for HIV results in a substantial improvement in prognosis.
Since the year 2000, the number ofdeaths from HIVhas been steadily declining.
Left untreated, HIV will progress to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in most people.
And there is no cure for HIV, even with treatment.
It is a chronic condition that requires lifelong disease management.
HIV vs. AIDS
HIV is a virus that attacks the bodys cells that help fight infection.
When HIV is left untreated,the virus can progressto the advanced stage of HIV infection known as AIDS.
Most people in the United States who are being treated for HIV will not progress to AIDS.
How Long Can You Live With HIV?
Starting and remaining on antiretroviral medications has been shown to decrease mortality and improve quality of life.
Maintaining quality healthcare is key to living a long, healthy life with HIV.
People who take HIV medicine can reach a viral load thats undetectable.
AIDS-related deaths have decreased globally by about 60% since the peak in 2004.
Across the world AIDS, deaths have declined with the introduction of combination antiretroviral therapy (ART).
In 2021, 75% of all people living with HIV were accessing treatment.
Life expectancy for patients who are not receiving treatment drops significantly.
What are Antiretroviral Medications?
Antiretroviral medications, or ARTs, work by suppressing the HIV virus to stop disease progression.
They are recommended for all people with HIV.
Treatment should start as soon as possible.
While ARTs do not cure HIV, they help people live longer and healthier lives.
Opportunistic Infections
The HIV infection itself doesnt kill you.
Instead, it leads to death by weakening your immune system and putting you at risk of other conditions.
These include opportunistic infections that can occur when the disease has progressed to AIDS.
An HIV treatment plan coordinated with your healthcare provider is critical to survival.
When people with HIV do not receive treatment, they will typically progress through all of these phases.
With treatment, progression to stage three is far less likely.
During this stage, there is a large amount of HIV in the blood and you are very contagious.
you’re free to still transmit the virus to others.
Without treatment, the typical survival rate is three years.
With treatment, many people can resume healthy lives.
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