Can you have HIV for 15 years and not know?

Some people have HIV for years before they know they have it. According to HIV.gov, symptoms of HIV may not appear for a decade or longer. This doesn’t mean that cases of HIV without symptoms are less serious. Also, a person who doesn’t experience symptoms could still transmit HIV to others.

How many stages has the natural history of HIV infection?

Stages of Infection – (assuming no treatment) There are four stages of HIV and as with all illnesses, how it progresses, how long it takes and the affect it has on the individual depends on a number of factors for example, general health, lifestyle, diet etc.

Would you know if you had HIV after 10 years?

After the initial symptoms disappear, HIV may not cause any further symptoms for many years. During this time, the virus continues to be active and causes progressive damage to your immune system. This process can vary from person to person, but may take up to 10 years, during which you’ll feel and appear well.

What is the natural course of HIV infection?

The natural course of untreated HIV infection varies widely with some HIV-positive individuals able to maintain high CD4 cell counts and/or suppressed viral load in the absence of ART. Although similar, the underlying mechanistic processes leading to long-term nonprogression and viral control are likely to differ.

What causes opportunistic infections?

OIs are caused by a variety of germs (viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites). These germs spread in different ways, such as in the air, in body fluids, or in contaminated food or water. They can cause health problems when a person’s immune system is weakened by HIV disease.

What is meant by natural history of disease?

Natural history of disease refers to the progression of a disease process in an individual over time, in the absence of treatment.

Can a person taking ARVs test negative?

The World Health Organization already recommends that people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy refrain from performing self-tests due to the risk of obtaining false-negative results.

What is the natural history of HIV infection?

The natural history of HIV infection. Two major subtypes of HIV-HIV-1 and HIV-2-are known to exist [2]. Over 95% of patients infected with HIV will, without treatment, develop progressive immunodeficiency as indicated by falling CD4-positive T cell counts and/or development of AIDS defining illnesses within 10 years of seroconversion [3, 4].

When does an untreated HIV infection lead to AIDS?

For example, untreated infection with HIV causes a spectrum of clinical problems beginning at the time of seroconversion (primary HIV) and terminating with AIDS and usually death. It is now recognized that it may take 10 years or more for AIDS to develop after seroconversion.

How long does it take for HIV to develop into AIDS?

HIV infection leads to progressive decline in CD4+ T-lymphocyte count increasing the risk for opportunistic infections and malignancies. Despite having a variable rate of progression determined by specific host and viral factors, the median time from infection to the development of AIDS ranges from 8 to 10 years among untreated individuals.

How long can a person with AIDS live?

Once a person is diagnosed with AIDS, they can have a high viral load and are able to transmit HIV to others very easily. Without treatment, people with AIDS typically survive about 3 years. From HIV.gov: What Are HIV and AIDS?