Please Note: Due to volume considerations, not all questions can be answered. Questions most likely to be answered will be those of general interest to a broad group of visitors to this forum. Questions pertaining to a specific case; requests for diagnosis, medical advice, or second opinion; or requests for opinions about untested alternative therapies will generally not be answered.
The participation of Dr. Ewald Horwath in this Forum is made possible by Boehringer Ingelheim.
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HIV dignosis
Sep 2, 2007
Hi, my dad has just been diagnosed with HIV. Firstly can I ask if it is possible for HIV to lie dormant for up to 10-20years? Secondly he will be taking antiviral drugs, are these fullproof or is there still a substantial chance he could get ill? Many thanks
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Response from Dr. Horwath
First. Yes, the average time between the initial HIV infection and developing symptoms is approximately 10 years in a person who is untreated. However, during this time, the virus is not dormant. Millions of copies of the virus are being made during this time, and symptoms tend to develop only after the immune system is severely impaired.
Second. The antiretroviral drugs are extremely effective, but they are not fool proof. In order to work, they must be taken exactly as prescribed without missing doses. If taken properly, most people do well.
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