What happens if a person is HIV-positive?
Untreated, HIV typically turns into AIDS in about 8 to 10 years. When AIDS occurs, your immune system has been severely damaged. You’ll be more likely to develop opportunistic infections or opportunistic cancers — diseases that wouldn’t usually cause illness in a person with a healthy immune system.
Can you survive being HIV-positive?
With the right treatment and care, people with HIV can live a normal lifespan. People who have a good response to HIV treatment have excellent long-term prospects. You can increase your life expectancy by not smoking and having a healthy lifestyle.
What does it mean to be HIV-positive *?
If the follow-up test is also positive, it means you have HIV (or are HIV-positive). It is important that you start medical care and begin HIV treatment as soon as you are diagnosed with HIV.