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The Miracle of Antiviral Treatment: How Long Can HIV-Positive People Live?
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that targets the immune system. Although there is no effective vaccine or treatment so far, with the development of antiretroviral treatment, this virus has Deadly infectious diseases evolve into manageable chronic health conditions. If HIV-positive people receive timely treatment, their life expectancy is expected to be almost the same as that of non-infected people, and they may even be able to coexist with the virus rather than die from it.
Effective antiviral treatment can reduce the viral load of HIV-positive people to undetectable levels, making it impossible to spread the virus through sexual intercourse.
HIV is mainly transmitted through unprotected sex, contaminated needles, blood transfusions, and mother-to-child transmission. Research shows that once treated, the risk of future sexual transmission can be effectively reduced, which is also an important reason for the "detectable = no transmission" concept promoted by the United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). In addition, early detection and timely treatment can significantly slow down the progression of the disease and reduce the risk of transmission.
After being infected with HIV for the first time, they usually go through an acute infection period. During this stage, some people will experience flu-like symptoms. However, many infected people are not aware that they are infected during this period. During the subsequent clinical incubation period, although the virus continues to be active in the body, most people will not experience obvious symptoms. If left untreated, it will progress to the AIDS stage within about ten years.
Without treatment, the life expectancy of an HIV-positive person is only about 11 years.
HIV stages and symptoms
HIV infection is generally divided into three main stages:
- Acute infection period: About 2-4 weeks after infection, 40%-90% of people will develop flu-like symptoms, including fever, swollen lymph glands and sore throat.
- Clinical incubation period: a stage with no obvious symptoms, which may last from several years to more than ten years. Some people may experience persistent lymphadenopathy.
- AIDS: The CD4+T cell count is lower than 200 or specific HIV-related diseases occur. This is the most dangerous stage. People without treatment often face a variety of serious complications at this stage.
How HIV is transmitted
The main transmission routes of HIV include:
- Sexual contact: Whether between same-sex or opposite-sex couples, sexual behavior is the main route of transmission.
- Blood contact: including sharing of needles, unhygienic medical equipment, etc.
- Mother-to-child transmission: during pregnancy, delivery and breastfeeding.
Impact of antiviral treatment
As mentioned above, antiviral treatment for HIV is the key to significantly improving the quality of life and longevity of infected people. Through continuous drug treatment, the immune system of infected people can be maintained, and the risk of various potential complications caused by immune deficiency is greatly reduced.
Antiviral treatment not only halts the progression of the disease, but also allows infected people to live healthy lives and even enjoy normal sexual relationships.
Despite this, there are still many misunderstandings about HIV around the world, and public awareness and prejudice issues still need to be developed. At the same time, the AIDS epidemic has also triggered many controversies and conflicts related to religion and social policies. Especially in some developing countries, people's health is often affected by insufficient economic and educational resources.
Conclusion
With the advancement of antiviral therapy, it is entirely possible for HIV-positive people to live as long as the average person if they receive early treatment and make lifestyle changes. Does this mean defeating this disease is no longer within reach?
