Final answer:
The progression from HIV to AIDS can take anywhere from 3 to 20 years without treatment. With proper medical treatment, individuals can live well over 10 or 20 years with an AIDS diagnosis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The progression from HIV to AIDS can take anywhere from 3 to 20 years without treatment. During the chronic HIV infection stage, which typically begins after the acute phase and lasts from 3 to 20 years, the infection continues to progress and HIV continues to infect and destroy helper T cells. Toward the end of this stage, symptoms such as fever, weight loss, and swollen lymph nodes may reappear. With proper medical treatment, individuals can live well over 10 or 20 years with an AIDS diagnosis.