Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2004. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date. I was diagnosed 5 years ago and on HAART for 4 years. I'm doing OK and the virus is undetectable. I have become acutely sensitive to certain phrases used by writers and even doctors when discussing HIV/AIDS. The use of "advanced HIV" and "late stage AIDS" in particular. While this may seem as though I am merely parsing words, I would like to know exactly what this choice of words mean to someone like myself who appears to be co-existing with the HIV virus? To me, "late stage" implies terminal, so should I conclude that although the HAART regiment is keeping the virus at bay, in reality, I'm living in a slow free-fall, and should expect to one day succumb to death? I apologize if this sounds ghoulish, but language is a very powerful medium and the choice of words carry enormous weight to people in my position.
Trevor Hawkins, M. D.
Associate Clinical Professor, Dept. Family Practice, University New Mexico
Medical Director, Southwest CARE Center, Santa Fe, NM
Yes, you are right and words do carry so much weight. Glad you are doing so well and no, there is no slow free fall; as long as you take the meds faithfully, you should be optimistic expect a normal life span.
Now, we have only been using HAART or combination therapy for 8 years but so far it looks as if people who remain suppressed continue to do very well.
"Late stage" and "advanced" mean someone, often with drug-resistant virus or not willing to take meds for whatever reason, who has a CD4 count below 50 and is at risk for opportunistic disease.
Hope this is helpful.
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