Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2007. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.Doctor, lately, there have been reports of the 'average' life expectancy for HIV patients in the U.S. to be 24 years. Could you please tell me where to find the original data on this and, of course any comments you might have on this research? You should know, I'm nearing the 24 year mark and therefore have a vested interest; but am still slightly skeptical of this 'average'.
I'm glad you're skeptical of this "average," described in the following link:
www.gay.com/news/article.html?coll=news_articles&sernum=2006/11/13/4&page=1
It's really a pretty meaningless number, this 24 year thing. It includes both people like yourself, who have done well for a long time, and people who present in the ER today, who have zero T cells, hepatitis, tuberculosis, multiple drug-use issues, and no health care. I would guess that you have access to good medical care, and take care of yourself.
The longer you continue healthy, the longer you are likely to continue healthy. Compare this to the statistic, "life expectancy at birth," and "life expectancy at 75." For a white male in the US, the life expectancy at birth is 75 years. If you should make it to 80, however, you can expect to live almost another decade.
The fact that you've made it this far suggest that you, like me, will live to die of something else. I haven't even ruled out the possibility of a cure in a decade or so....
In short, I don't think I hear the grim reaper at your door, looking at the watch to see if the 24 years are up yet. The following article is more helpful:
www.terradaily.com/reports/HIV_Life_Expectancy_Now_Normal_999.html
Plan for a long life.
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