From the Guidelines
The average lifespan of someone diagnosed with HIV at 21 years old today approaches that of the general population, provided they receive and adhere to modern antiretroviral therapy (ART). With proper treatment, a 21-year-old diagnosed with HIV can expect to live into their 70s or beyond, potentially losing only a few years of life expectancy compared to someone without HIV 1. Current recommended treatment typically involves a single daily pill containing multiple medications such as Biktarvy (bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide), Dovato (dolutegravir/lamivudine), or Juluca (dolutegravir/rilpivirine).
Key Factors for Near-Normal Life Expectancy
- Early diagnosis
- Prompt initiation of ART
- Consistent medication adherence
- Regular medical monitoring (typically every 3-6 months)
- Maintaining an undetectable viral load As noted in the 2020 recommendations of the international antiviral society-USA panel, published in JAMA, all persons with HIV who have detectable viremia, regardless of their CD4 cell count, should begin antiretroviral therapy (ART) as soon as possible after diagnosis 1. This approach has led to a substantial increase in survival, such that persons with HIV now live a near-normal lifespan, with many living to the age of 50 years and older 1.
From the Research
Average Lifespan of Somebody Diagnosed with HIV at 21 Years Old
- The provided studies do not directly address the average lifespan of somebody diagnosed with HIV at 21 years old 2, 3, 4, 5.
- However, the studies suggest that antiretroviral therapy (ART) can significantly improve the quality of life and increase the lifespan of individuals with HIV infection 2, 3, 4, 5.
- A study published in 2020 found that ART regimens containing dolutegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide or tenofovir disoproxil fumarate were effective in suppressing HIV-1 RNA concentrations and improving clinical outcomes in treatment-naive individuals 2.
- Another study published in 2016 recommended that all patients with HIV infection should receive ART, regardless of their CD4 cell count, and that immediate treatment can reduce the risk of AIDS-related events, serious non-AIDS-related events, or death from any cause 3.
- The studies do not provide specific data on the average lifespan of individuals diagnosed with HIV at 21 years old, but they suggest that with effective ART, individuals with HIV can live longer and healthier lives 2, 3, 4, 5.