Living Longer with HIV

[getSTDtested Administrator]

Living Longer With HIV

The expected life span for HIV-positive individuals has increased four-fold in one decade. Find out why.

A 25-year-old who was diagnosed with HIV in 1995 or 1996 could expect to live another eight years. Diagnosed about 10 years later, between 2000 and 2005, that same hypothetical person could live another 33 years. While still short of the 51 additional years of life an uninfected person could expect at that age, the near-normal lifespan of a person with HIV is a dramatic and hopeful development for people living with the virus today.

HIV: Factors Affecting Life Expectancy
Numerous factors determine whether an individual with HIV will reach, or even exceed, their expected lifespan. This includes:

• The strength of your immune system. HIV can eventually destroy the body’s immune system by damaging infection-fighting cells. The initiation of treatment against HIV, particularly highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), is more effective if a person is diagnosed soon after infection. It's possible to extend the life of a person with HIV about 11 years by starting HAART when the patient's immune system is still relatively strong (with a CD4 count of 320 cells/microliter) rather than debilitated (with a CD4 count of 87 cells/microliter).
• The strain of HIV you have. Certain types of HIV are more resistant to treatment than others.
• Adherence to treatment. How closely you follow your prescribed treatment plan will play a big role in how healthy you remain over time. There is some evidence that HIV patients 50 and older tend to follow prescribed treatment plans better than younger patients, resulting in lower levels of HIV in the body and a stronger immune system.
• The presence of the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Infection with HCV cut six years off of the expected remaining lifespan of a person diagnosed with HIV between 2000 to 2005. When the body is infected with both viruses, more damage is done.

HIV: Change in Prognosis
It is now quite likely that a person with HIV will die of something other than AIDS, (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) which is the end-stage of HIV infection when the body is ravaged by opportunistic infections and other conditions. This is particularly true as antiretroviral therapy extends life expectancy. Among about 12,000 people enrolled in HIV clinical trials between 1998 and 2008, 453 died of the following causes:

• 10 percent: AIDS-defining diseases, such as certain opportunistic infections
• 21 percent: Non-AIDS related cancers
• 9 percent: Cardiac diseases
• 9 percent: Liver disease
• 8 percent: Non-AIDS-defining infections
• 5 percent: Suicide
• 4 percent: Other traumatic events or accidents
• 4 percent: Drug overdoses or acute intoxications
• 29 percent: Other or unknown

HIV: Preventive Health Measures Are Crucial
If you have HIV, it's important to work with your physician to develop a personalized plan to slow the progression of the disease. This will generally include three parts:

• Health maintenance interventions. It's crucial to get routine vaccinations for diseases such as tetanus and diphtheria, though the timing of these vaccinations may be adjusted to take into account your weakened immune system.
• Prevention of diseases commonly associated with HIV
• Antiretroviral therapy

An individual can do a great deal to delay the progression of HIV disease. In addition to following a treatment plan worked out with your doctor, it's important to take basic measures to get or stay healthy. Your doctor will likely advise you to:

• Exercise regularly.
• Practice safe sex. These precautions will reduce your risk of contracting a sexually transmitted disease or even a second type of HIV — and your risk of infecting others.
• Eat a balanced diet.
• Quit smoking and using any drugs not prescribed for you.
• Relax and get enough sleep. There’s evidence that stress and fatigue will speed up the progression of HIV disease.

These measures, along with adhering to your doctor’s advice, will help you manage your HIV and strengthen your system against HIV-related diseases.

SOURCE: Living Longer With HIV - HIV Center - EverydayHealth.com

HIV treatment works much better the sooner after infection that it starts. That's why testing is so important, otherwise you won't know. Symptoms can take years to show up, too.

Get STD Tested - STD Tests & STD Testing Procedures Explained

[Borg]

People also make the mistake of thinking HIV only happens to others. Anyone who has sex - anyone! - is at risk for HIV and other STDs. Anyone who has never had an HIV test and has been sexually active should test.

[Hello Dalai]

In the original post, it says "AIDS-defining diseases, such as certain opportunistic infections." What is that, exactly?