Experts now consider HIV a chronic disease
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Science and medicine do not stand still, and many diseases that used to be fatal are now no longer a threat, in addition, the achievements of scientists have significantly prolonged 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 controlled and HIV infection can be safely 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%.
Recently, the UN presented a new report on HIV, which noted that in the world at the end of 2013, more than 36 million HIV-positive people were registered, more than 65% of whom live in Africa. More than 15 million people with HIV are receiving antiretroviral treatment.
As experts suggest, such progress became possible only thanks to early therapy of the disease, a long course of treatment and special medical care for patients. In the 2000s, physicians became aware of the benefits of antiretroviral drugs, even with weakened immunity, this therapy helps prolong life and reduce the likelihood of transmission of the virus to others.
Specialists note that the main threat for such patients are adverse reactions against the background of antiretroviral treatment, including heart attack, malignant neoplasms, neurological diseases, pancreatitis.
The human immunodeficiency virus affects the cells of immunity, the disease is characterized by slow development, the first symptoms manifest in 5-10 years from the time of infection.
Gradually, the work of the immune system is depressed, resulting in the syndrome of acquired immunodeficiency (AIDS) and the person remains unprotected before some infections. Also, when AIDS develops opportunistic infections that are caused by protozoa and fungi and do not pose a threat to people with a normally functioning immune system. If a person does not receive any treatment, then death can occur on average 10 years from the time of infection with HIV.
It is worth noting that the immunodeficiency virus itself does not pose a threat to human life; the disease that develops after infection with the virus (opportunistic or HIV-associated) is a big danger. These diseases provoke protozoa microorganisms, bacteria, fungi, etc., which, but with immunodeficiency can lead to a fatal outcome. Also, despite the prevailing opinion, for HIV-infected people, the common cold or flu presents the same threat as for other people. Special danger for patients with HIV is tuberculosis, human papillomavirus, simple and herpes zoster, pneumocystis and bacterial pneumonia, cryptosporidosis (intestinal infection), candidiasis, histoplasmosis.
[