Final answer:
A person with untreated HIV can live between 3 to 20 years after entering the chronic infection stage. Access to antiretroviral therapy can significantly extend lifespan and delay AIDS progression. Global health efforts are ongoing to improve access to treatment and reduce new infections, particularly in impoverished regions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Without treatment, the length of time a person can live with HIV varies widely. After initial infection and any acute symptoms, a person will enter the chronic HIV infection stage, which can be symptom-free and may last between 3 to 20 years. Without medical interventions, the infection gradually weakens the immune system, leading to the development of AIDS, which is diagnosed when helper T cell counts fall below 200 cells per μl of blood or when opportunistic diseases present themselves.
Advances in HIV research and treatments, particularly antiretroviral therapy (ART), have dramatically improved life expectancies. People with HIV who have access to treatment can maintain low levels of viral replication, preserve their immune system, and significantly delay the progression to AIDS. As a result, many individuals with HIV can now expect to reach an average human lifespan, living productive and active lives.
HIV/AIDS has disproportionately impacted low-income communities and remains a major health crisis in regions like sub-Saharan Africa. The global response to HIV has focused on expanding access to life-saving antiretroviral drugs and reducing the incidence of new infections.