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Main Forums => Living With HIV => Topic started by: Newguy on February 09, 2013, 03:21:35 pm

Title: Is it possible to have HIV and not get sick?
Post by: Newguy on February 09, 2013, 03:21:35 pm
Hi everyone

Just curious but is it possible to not get sick if you have HIV and are on meds? Although I am dealing really will this diagnosis and am adherent 100% to my meds, I sometimes get anxious with the idea that I might be hospitalized with HIV? Any thoughts or experiences?

Best
Title: Re: Is it possible to have HIV and not get sick?
Post by: buginme2 on February 09, 2013, 03:35:38 pm
Assuming you remain on meds and undetectable and all that and have an adequate recovery of your cd4 cells, your risk of getting opportunistic infections are small.  When you say "be hospitalized with HIV" is this what you mean?   

Your chances of getting sick with things like the flu will be about the same as the general public.  You will get sick at times just like everyone else on the planet.

Having HIV (even successfully treated HIV) does put you at a higher risk to develop certain types of cancer.  Liver disease, kidney disease, heart disease, and metabolic disorders are things you want to be cognizant of (most can be managed with lifestyle choices like quitting smoking, exercising, etc).
Title: Re: Is it possible to have HIV and not get sick?
Post by: Jeff G on February 09, 2013, 03:44:25 pm
I have been poz for almost 30 years and I'm in better shape than some of my friends and family ... actually I am in better shape than ALL of the ones my age .

I think you have every right to be optimistic about your future , I am about mine .
Title: Re: Is it possible to have HIV and not get sick?
Post by: jkinatl2 on February 09, 2013, 05:28:27 pm
Hi everyone

Just curious but is it possible to not get sick if you have HIV and are on meds? Although I am dealing really will this diagnosis and am adherent 100% to my meds, I sometimes get anxious with the idea that I might be hospitalized with HIV? Any thoughts or experiences?

Best

People like yourself who are recently diagnosed and on meds stand a great chance of never, ever developing AIDS.  It's been that way for almost a decade now.

Title: Re: Is it possible to have HIV and not get sick?
Post by: Newguy on February 09, 2013, 06:09:11 pm
Thanks for the replies everyone. I am not looking for reassurance but I am simply curious. Although I have managed to keep everything stable and move forward with my life, sometimes I forget I have HIV and then it creeps into my mind and snowballs. I don't like this feeling because my thoughts run wild and I am sure you know what I mean. The lowest my cd4 dropped was to 330 and I never ever got sick, not even seroconversion flu. I actually haven't been sick for a long time, meanwhile people around me are getting the flu and all sorts who are HIV negative.

This infection just seems super strange and I have no idea what to expect. You hear some stories of people in the hospital for  weeks with seroconversion, hard core partiers who maintain high CD4 and UD viral load and some who take care of themselves and get ill. There seems to be no consistency with this virus.

Just a very bizarre condition. Although one thing that seems to be consistent is the stigma. My dear friend whom I love is always asking if I am sick, meanwhile she always has the flu. I know she cares about me but it bugs me because she thinks HIV automatically equals the end.

Best to all!
Title: Re: Is it possible to have HIV and not get sick?
Post by: WestSide on February 09, 2013, 06:53:27 pm
My dear friend whom I love is always asking if I am sick, meanwhile she always has the flu. I know she cares about me but it bugs me because she thinks HIV automatically equals the end.
I guess it's your job, since you disclosed to your besty, to educate the uneducated about your illness.  This is why I won't disclose until I have enough skill and knowledge to deal with people that may be a little ignorant about it.  It can be taboo to some but they really just need to be informed.
Title: Re: Is it possible to have HIV and not get sick?
Post by: Newguy on February 09, 2013, 06:58:14 pm
, since you disclosed to your besty,

This expression made me laugh! Thanks for that WestSide

Have a great day!
Title: Re: Is it possible to have HIV and not get sick?
Post by: weasel on February 10, 2013, 03:19:56 am


 Hi Newguy ,
                    I went for 18 years and was never sick ,   Then started MEDS

      in 2004 ?    and have never been sick ,  Being Diagnosed  with AIDS was

   very alarming to me  !    But  I never have been one to be sick .


                          Wishing you well ,   MEDS these days will prevent any
   ill effects of HIV   for the most part  ;)

                                                                   Carl
Title: Re: Is it possible to have HIV and not get sick?
Post by: Ann on February 10, 2013, 05:21:38 am

Just a very bizarre condition. Although one thing that seems to be consistent is the stigma. My dear friend whom I love is always asking if I am sick, meanwhile she always has the flu. I know she cares about me but it bugs me because she thinks HIV automatically equals the end.


I would be very tempted to ask this person, "When was the last time you got tested for hiv?" Not to be mean, not to shut her up, but to get her to stop and realise that hiv affects women too and if she's sexually active, she should be getting tested regularly.



As for your other concerns, hiv affects different people differently. A lot of it has to do with your own genetic make-up. That's why some people can party like it's 1999 and have great numbers while others are very careful and still progress to aids (in the absence of meds).

For example, many people who are Long Term Non-Progressors often have a certain gene that enables them to partially, if not completely, control hiv on their own without meds. People who can control the virus completely (ie have an UD VL) without meds are called elite controllers.

I was able to go fifteen years before starting meds, and I started before I ever got an aids diagnosis. I never did anything special. I smoke, I drink, my diet could be better and lawd knows I could get more exercise. I was never considered an LTNP as my VL was always too high; I was an LT-Slow-P.

It's just the luck of the genetic draw.

Title: Re: Is it possible to have HIV and not get sick?
Post by: PozJimC on February 10, 2013, 02:52:13 pm
Hi everyone.  I am very new to Forums.  I have read all the most recent replies to this "curious question" and feel I need to respond too.

I was diagnosed in 1993 and did not start meds until 2000 approx.  I have not been sick any more than any of the people around me.  In fact I got sick less than they did and when I did got sick I rebounded a lot quicker.  My CD4 started out low and VL was very high, but when I started meds these numbers reversed and I have been blessed to keep them that way. 

The concern about being hospitalized is always present.  Don't let this thought keep you from living.  Take care of yourself, take meds as prescribed, eat as healthy as you can, seek medical guidance when needed, and experience life one day at a time.

I often get fed up with taking meds, but I realize they are the reason I stay healthy.  Depression is always lurking to intrude on your life to take away the enjoyment of living.  De aware of depression and avoid alcohol, which causes depression to be worse.

Besides medical guidance you should seek out local support groups.  Yes, this means disclosure, but only to those that are just like you and are just as afraid of others knowing.  The positive affects outweight the negative.  Good luck.
Title: Re: Is it possible to have HIV and not get sick?
Post by: klassykitty on February 10, 2013, 03:21:27 pm
Newguy,

Since you are just curious I will throw my 2 cents in. I don't think I have anymore of a chance of getting sick then most people.

I was dignosed 2 years ago.  My truvada/isentress has kept my VL down, but can't say my CD4 is cooperating as good.  My health is good, other then an MAC attack shortly after being diagnosed.

As long as my VL load stays down and my CD4 creeps up me and my doctor don't worry to much about it.

I do agree about the alcohol.   Well for the most part, I had my share this weekend at the Blackberry Smoke concert.

Michelle 8)
Title: Re: Is it possible to have HIV and not get sick?
Post by: newt on February 10, 2013, 05:41:10 pm
hmmm

Treated in good time HIV is mostly a boring virus with minimal impact on health, and the risk of illness or death for people with HIV is the same or very marginally lower to people without HIV. Indeed, skiing would be more dangerous to your health. By in good time I mean before your CD4 falls to 350-500 or if it rises to 500 some time after treatment.

Save for a pension, you will be thankful in 40 years.

- matt
Title: Re: Is it possible to have HIV and not get sick?
Post by: mitch777 on February 10, 2013, 06:06:41 pm
I would be very tempted to ask this person, "When was the last time you got tested for hiv?" Not to be mean, not to shut her up, but to get her to stop and realise that hiv affects women too and if she's sexually active, she should be getting tested regularly.



As for your other concerns, hiv affects different people differently. A lot of it has to do with your own genetic make-up. That's why some people can party like it's 1999 and have great numbers while others are very careful and still progress to aids (in the absence of meds).

For example, many people who are Long Term Non-Progressors often have a certain gene that enables them to partially, if not completely, control hiv on their own without meds. People who can control the virus completely (ie have an UD VL) without meds are called elite controllers.

I was able to go fifteen years before starting meds, and I started before I ever got an aids diagnosis. I never did anything special. I smoke, I drink, my diet could be better and lawd knows I could get more exercise. I was never considered an LTNP as my VL was always too high; I was an LT-Slow-P.

It's just the luck of the genetic draw.
my genes, timing, and smoke/drink/excercise issues are the same. :) :) ???
have some cognitive issues due to possible hiv/treatment issues, but after 30 years.....
i still (usually) have a positive attitude and hope i see another 30 years.

Stay optimistic Newguy!!!
Title: Re: Is it possible to have HIV and not get sick?
Post by: Miss Philicia on February 10, 2013, 06:58:03 pm
Do you smoke Mitchell? Such a vile habit for a 53 year old.
Title: Re: Is it possible to have HIV and not get sick?
Post by: texaninnyc87 on February 10, 2013, 07:04:46 pm
its really hot to smoke when youre like 15 though. (fact)
Title: Re: Is it possible to have HIV and not get sick?
Post by: mitch777 on February 10, 2013, 07:32:30 pm
Do you smoke Mitchell? Such a vile habit for a 53 year old.
yes. you???
Title: Re: Is it possible to have HIV and not get sick?
Post by: Miss Philicia on February 10, 2013, 07:37:07 pm
Yes, but I'm younger than you are, have more t-cells, and passed a lung x-ray last year

(http://i1007.photobucket.com/albums/af197/bedstuy65/20130210_193554_zpscd21f0ed.jpg)
Title: Re: Is it possible to have HIV and not get sick?
Post by: tednlou2 on February 10, 2013, 11:22:20 pm
That makes me want to go buy a pack.  I was a Marlboro Red man.  The hard stuff for me. 
Title: Re: Is it possible to have HIV and not get sick?
Post by: Miss Philicia on February 11, 2013, 08:10:11 am
btw, I don't understand this thread -- how does one define "sick"? Do you mean getting a cold, or do you mean having KS lesions covering your body?