HIV drugs increasing life expectancy by more than a decade
July 28th, 2008 by Rosie
People with HIV are living longer and have a lower likelihood of dying of the disease than ever before, according to new research.
A University of Bristol study of more than 43,000 people has found that increased the average life expectancy of an HIV+ person in 2005 was 13 years more than it was in 1996. Mortality rates have also dropped by nearly 40% in the same time period.
The improvements are due to better combination antiretroval therapy (cART) for people living with HIV in high income countries.
The scientists behind the research believe that the advances in treatment has transformed HIV from a fatal disease to a long-term chronic condition.
But despite these promising results, an HIV+ person starting treatment at age 20 is still only expected to live another 43 years, to age 63. The average life expectancy for a person who does not have HIV is 80 years.
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