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Having HIV isn't as bad news as it used to be. Treatments can help you stay healthy for many years.

Without treatments that slow down HIV, you may start to get ill about 10 years after being infected. If you are taking treatments then it can be 20 years or more before you get ill, but we have not had the effective treatments for long enough to be sure. Some experts believe that people who have good treatment and who take care of themselves may be able to live a normal lifespan.¹ But everyone is different, so we can't say for sure what will happen to you.

In the United States, the most common treatment is a combination of three or four antiretroviral drugs (combination therapy). These drugs slow down the damage HIV does to your immune system. Since combination therapy was first used, the number of Americans dying from AIDS has fallen by more than two-thirds.²

But if you've been told that you have HIV, you probably feel scared. To help you understand what can happen see:

• What happens when I'm first diagnosed?
• What happens in the first few years after diagnosis?
• What happens if I have advanced HIV infection?
• What can I do to help myself and stay healthy?

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment. ©BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2008. All rights reserved.