Age and HIV progression

[crazylove]

Hi everyone. i was tested poz two months ago and stilll kinda lost.

i'm 30yo male, workout regularly and make sure i have a healthy diet. Just wondering does age plays a part in HIV progression? Does it mean that the younger u r, the stronger yr body r at fighting the virus?

Thanks for reading guys. 

[Assurbanipal]

Well, there's no guarantees because everyone reacts differently, but on average the younger you are the less chance of something going wrong in the near term.

There's a chart in the NIH guidelines on treating HIV that shows risks by age.  It's table 1b on page 136 of the pdf file.  http://aidsinfo.nih.gov/ContentFiles/AdultandAdolescentGL.pdf

But really the most important thing you can do is to get a good doctor who monitors your health and start on the drugs once it is time.  That's the best way to ensure you stay healthy. 

Stay well
A

[Miss Philicia]

Does it matter?  I mean really, the question should be whether you'd wish to be infected at the age of 30 and deal with HIV for years and years, or would you rather NOT be infected until you are 60 and have the majority of your life free of doctors visits, lab tests and fistfuls of pills?  I know what I would chose if I could do it all over, and I was infected in my 20's.

I don't see how this is particularly productive.

[Andy Velez]

So many factors seem to play a part in how well anyone does -- heredity, age, good nutrition, good healthcare in general, exercise, good emotional health -- and more. Through the years I've seen a broad spectrum of responses.

What I would say is that you need to focus on yourself and make sure you are doing everything to take good care of yourself in partnership with your doctor and others in your life.

How do YOU feel you are doing is really the question to ask and are there any issues worth paying more attention to that would help to keep you healthy. 

Cheers.

[justaguy]

I'm 32 and just diagnosed a month ago, about a year after what I estimate was the likely infection point.  My CD4s are already very low, 136 to be exact.  I am generally healthy as a horse, exercise daily, and rarely even feel sick, so I don't know how much age has to do with anything.  I think the strength of your virus strain probably has more to do with it, combined with your genetics.

[Ann]

And by the way, 30 is NOT old! Wait 'til you young whipper-snappers get to be 70, then you'll know what old is! And yes, for someone diagnosed now days, there's every chance you'll see 70, as long as you look both ways before you cross the road - and monitor your numbers every three months or so and take meds as and when prescribed.

Ann

[mikeyt64]

hey crazylove - i was diagnosed at 33 and waited one year before starting treatments. I was infected without knowning however the essence in dealing with HIV is finding a doctor who you can trust and share your worries/fears and one who allows you to make the decisions at your pace.

I waited for a year as my cd 4 cells were healthy althought the virus was fast creeping up the scale in viral load numbers. 10 yrs later I know that adopting a healthy attitude and behaviour across the board has contributed to my zero suppression and minimal fuss in changing meds.

You sound like you have a healthy attitude to life so keep that philosophy in place and make decisions from a calm and knowledgeable space - all the best Mikey

[crazylove]

Thanks fro the replies everyone. This is a really helpful website for people like me who r recently tested poz.

Let us all be strong n go thru this together. Hopefully there will be a cure in the near future. 

[anniebc]

I was diagnosed when I was 54..I will be 61 in a few months, I still have lots of energy but just like some of you young one's I have my tired days...and I fully expect to die of old age..I'm thinking 80+ will do me..

Hugs
Jan

[decayingsinner]

I'm 29 and was diagnosed last year. I have full intentions of living a nearly complete life like I would have without HIV.  Just look how far science and medicine has come in the 25 or so years.  Imagine where it will be in 10 more years.

[elf]

I'm 29 and tested positive 8 months ago, I'm taking Combivir&Kaletra+400 mg of selenium every day. My numbers are good (except for high cholesterol)...Eating a lot of apples and omega3 as well as fatty fish like sardines and 90 minutes of jogging every day make me survive...I run for life. (literally  )...I hope to be 82 or so when I die (like my grandparents  )

The weirdest thing is: I don't feel ''diseased'' at all. I feel normal. 

[Inchlingblue]

I'm taking Combivir&Kaletra+400 mg of selenium every day. 

I hope you mean 400 mcg (micrograms) of selenium!

[RapidRod]

elf just for your info.

Selenium poisoning: Poisoning from selenium, a naturally occurring substance that is toxic at high concentrations but is also a nutritionally essential element. Hydrogen selenide is the most acutely toxic selenium compound. Acute (short-term) exposure to elemental selenium, hydrogen selenide, and selenium dioxide by inhalation results primarily in respiratory effects, such as irritation of the mucous membranes, pulmonary edema, severe bronchitis, and bronchial pneumonia. Epidemiological studies of humans chronically (long-term) exposed to high levels of selenium in food and water have reported discoloration of the skin, pathological deformation and loss of nails, loss of hair, excessive tooth decay and discoloration, lack of mental alertness, and listlessness. Epidemiological studies have reported an inverse association between selenium levels in the blood and cancer occurrence and animal studies have reported that selenium supplementation, as sodium selenate, sodium selenite, and organic forms of selenium, results in a reduced incidence of several tumor types. The only selenium compound that has been shown to be carcinogenic in animals is selenium sulfide, which resulted in an increase in liver tumors from oral exposure.