POZ Community Forums
Main Forums => Someone I Care About Has HIV => Topic started by: BetteDorinda on May 04, 2010, 06:25:39 am
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I am curious, with proper nutrition, adherence to meds, excersize. How long do people with hiv live for? Is it extremly hard for someone with hiv that is qualified to gain employment and receive medical benefits?
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Length of life is a very individual matter for a person with HIV, and also your question doesnt state if you want to know how many years or who long a lifespan? Obviously if a person is 50 years old when they are infected they probably won't live another "50 years" but a 20 year old easily could.
Can you ask the person you are concerned about what prognosis he has received from a specialist.
I am in my 40's and was infected 2 years ago. My specialist told me I could expect a "normal" life span. Does that help answer your questions?
About your second question - probably you should say what country this HIV+ person lives in. Where I live, employment and medical benefits are completely separate, and an HIV+ person can easily find employment, and medical benefits are universal.
If this person lives in the states, then an HIV+ person can find employment and usually cannot be refused employment on the basis of HIV+. As for medical benefits, this is very complicated in the states and there are many different solutions. Best to know the particulars of the person you are concerned about.
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Boyfriend has been poz for 15 years, started meds this last year, the doctor told us when he started meds that his chances od living a normal life span were very high, but treatment and taking care of himself at this point were vital.
As far as health insurance, like Mecch need to know where your friend is at. If they are in the states, have medical insurance now, then there is no waiting period when changing jobs and joining another group plan, if they are looking for an individual policy that could be a differant story.
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Like everyone else, we live until we die.
MtD
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I am curious, with proper nutrition, adherence to meds, excersize. How long do people with hiv live for? Is it extremly hard for someone with hiv that is qualified to gain employment and receive medical benefits?
People with HIV, like people with any other serious chronic illness, tend to live shorter lives than otherwise. How much shorter? Not by much, with proper medical care and treatment as needed. Without access to care, it is far worse. Most of us are more interested in living healthier lives, than longevity for its own sake. This becomes pretty obvious as one grows older, POZ or not. Some might be offended by your question posed to POZ on this Site, but I assume you ask in sincerity.
In the US, employment is one of the few ways to access (more or less affordable) medical care for people who with pre-existing conditions like HIV. You don't tell your potential employer, and keep your mouth shut while on probation. Who gets hired and whose resume gets tossed, has to do with many factors other than perceived health. Employees with group insurance are covered without regard to individual health. After leaving employment opportunity to continue coverage (at considerable premium expense) exists for another 18 months, or 36 months in California.
-Steven (aka 8) megasept)