I was infected very recently, 29 yo male who is healthy otherwise. I am trying to convince myself that as long as I am under good care and show adherence to medications, I will live a long healthy life. However, the more I read the questions on this website, the more I am convinced that many HIV infected patients will eventually end up getting cancers such as lymphomas for which the prognosis may not be often very promising. How do you comment on that? when you say we can expect a normal or near normal life span, do you take this into account? thank you.

I do indeed. Cancers, both HIV-related, like lymphoma, and non-HIV-related are proteced against by having a higher CD4 count and by taking HIV therapy. CD4 low point (nadir) may also influence the future risk of some cancers. While many non-HIV cancers are more common in persons with HIV this risk increase is relative and the absolute risk of getting then cancer remains small and more influenced by other factors, for most cancers, notably smoking. So the broad message is part of a healthy life with HIV includes following a lifestyle which protects against cancer. Best Wishes for a long healthy life Dr Moyle