The length of time a person with HIV can live on medication is not generalizable and varies depending on the patient’s condition and treatment.
AIDS is caused by HIV infection and is broadly classified into: latent stage, acute HIV infection, asymptomatic HIV infection and AIDS stage. HIV carriers are defined as latent or asymptomatic HIV infections. If early aggressive and highly effective antiretroviral treatment, i.e. anti-HIV treatment, can extend the life span of patients by at least 30 years, and some patients can even carry the disease for a lifetime without developing it. If patients do not take medication or do not take medication in a timely manner or do not adhere to regular medication, their survival time can vary depending on the concentration of HIV infection, the route of infection and the immune status of the individual. The duration of this period varies from a few months to 20 years, when the disease progresses to the AIDS stage and then survives for another 12-18 months.
Therefore, HIV carriers need to be actively treated with antiretroviral therapy, such as regular medication, and are expected to carry the disease for life without developing it.