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Experts now consider HIV to be a chronic disease
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
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Science and medicine do not stand still and many diseases that were previously considered fatal no longer pose a threat, in addition, the achievements of scientists have made it possible to significantly prolong life or improve the quality of life in some previously incurable diseases.
For decades, HIV was considered a deadly disease, but today experts note that progress in treatment has led to the fact that the development of the disease can be managed and HIV infection can confidently be called a chronic disease.
According to statistics, since 1987 the average age of death of HIV-infected patients has increased significantly - among men by 12%, among women by 14%.
The UN recently released a new report on the fight against HIV, which noted that at the end of 2013, there were more than 36 million HIV patients registered worldwide, more than 65% of whom live in Africa. More than 15 million HIV patients are receiving antiretroviral treatment.
As experts suggest, such progress was possible only due to early treatment of the disease, long-term treatment and special medical care for patients. In the 2000s, doctors realized the benefits of antiretroviral drugs, even with weakened immunity, such therapy helps to prolong life and reduce the likelihood of transmitting the virus to others.
Experts note that the main threat to such patients is adverse reactions to antiretroviral treatment, which include heart attacks, malignant neoplasms, neurological diseases, and pancreatitis.
The human immunodeficiency virus affects immune cells, the disease is characterized by slow development, the first symptoms appear 5-10 years after infection.
Gradually, the immune system is suppressed, resulting in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and the person remains unprotected against certain infections. Opportunistic infections caused by protozoa and fungi also develop with AIDS and do not pose a threat to people with a normally functioning immune system. If a person does not receive any treatment, death can occur on average 10 years after becoming infected with HIV.
It is worth noting that the immunodeficiency virus itself does not pose a threat to human life; the greater danger is posed by diseases that develop after infection with the virus (opportunistic or HIV-associated). These diseases are provoked by protozoa, bacteria, fungi, etc., which, however, can lead to death with immunodeficiency. Also, despite popular belief, colds and flu pose the same threat to HIV-infected people as they do to other people. Of particular danger to HIV patients are tuberculosis, human papillomavirus, herpes simplex and herpes zoster, pneumocystis and bacterial pneumonia, cryptosporidiasis (intestinal infection), candidiasis, and histoplasmosis.
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