How quickly does hiv change to aids? Left untreated?

[Positive19]

I'm just wondering. I tested positive. I was a sex worker for 2 years and I didn't get tested at all in that time. Actually haven't been tested since I was 14 tbh. Anyhow, I was just wondering how bad can it get? Since I have only taken the standard test. If anyone knows I'd deeply appreciate it.

[buginme2]

 It depends.   Some people are fine for a decade or more.   Other people can be dead in a year.   Your results will vary.

[Positive19]

It depends.   Some people are fine for a decade or more.   Other people can be dead in a year.   Your results will vary.

Is there an average of any kind though?

[mecch]

Anyone and everyone who gets a positive test result starts to ask such questions and worry about the future.  The only way to find out one's situation at diagnosis is to get all the blood work and see where things stand.
There really isn't an average time of disease progression that is meaningful to an individual.  Anyway, these days, the game is - when someone knows he/she is HIV+, medicine steps in and monitors the whole situation and steps in whenever meds are necessary and the whole point is to create health, from diagnosis onwards...

Welcome here.
Also, did you get a Western Blot confirmation that you are HIV+?
Have you started to get other blood draws, to see where your system is?

[Positive19]

Thank you

No I had a rapid test done at pp. I've done the conventional test I haven't gotten results back until next week.

I know I haven't had it too long at least not 3 years because I had my daughter then she's hiv negative. I just worry its not already progressed to anything yet. Future seems so bleak this way I guess my best bet is to just wait though if its 10 years maybe there's hope so if there's life expectancy I don't get it what's the goal? Like how would someone know they're surviving a long time with the medication?

[Jeff G]

welcome to the forum . I have been living with HIV for over 30 years and you can do it too . It takes time and there is a learning curve to living with HIV but you will get there .

You are going to be OK .

[Positive19]

Wow that's a long time. When did you get diagnosed/treated? What treatment did you take? How are you now? If ok to ask.

[Jeff G]

I was symptomatic a few years before the test became available in 1985 . I have been on far too many treatments to go over here but I take 3 pills a day now have no side effects at all from them . I'm on Intelence and Truvada . I am doing very well and lead a full happy life .

[mecch]

Thank you

No I had a rapid test done at pp. I've done the conventional test I haven't gotten results back until next week.

I know I haven't had it too long at least not 3 years because I had my daughter then she's hiv negative. I just worry its not already progressed to anything yet. Future seems so bleak this way I guess my best bet is to just wait though if its 10 years maybe there's hope so if there's life expectancy I don't get it what's the goal? Like how would someone know they're surviving a long time with the medication?

The only thing to do for an HIV+ person is to take it from today, forward.  The medicine is in place to quickly control HIV infection.  You cannot know the state of of your immune system. Its not possible to guess.  You need a western blot confirmation, and complete blood work to see where you are.
There is a lot of talk about a "near normal lifespan" at least for some HIV+ people.
The most important thing is to have your medical care arranged.  HIV+ people need regular monitoring.  When the need for drugs is established, they are expensive.  The HIV+ person has to make sure he/she has access to good care, and if that is in place, and we follow a good doctor's care, then things usually work out pretty well, these days.

[ratcat]

Get your cd4 checked 3-4 times per year.  Not expensive at all.   Talk to a doctor.  Being in denial or ignoring HIV is the biggest danger.  Meds are not expensive in some countries, free in others and even available cheap through programs in the USA(USA most expensive).    Where are you?

Just because somebody is facing up to their HIV doesn't mean that it defines them.  Ignoring it will kill you in 1-10 years.  I'm healthy as a horse...you can be as well. 

[aaware72]

It varies depending on the person.  In my case my last neg test was May 2012 and I test poz Jan 2013.  Ended up very sick in the hospital Aug 2012 (this is where we guess I converted)  My first blood was done in Feb 2013 and my CD4 was 230 and VL was 53,000.  It would appear in my case it hit me hard and fast.  With medications by May 13 I was UD and my CD4 was up over 400.