I was diagnosed with HIV around a year ago (in my mid 20s). Because I was unwell, had a low CD4 (300) and high VL (500,000), I was commenced on ART. 1 month later, I was diagnosed with KS from a lymph node biopsy. I had 4 cycles of liposomal doxyrubicin. For the last 9 months, I have had an undetectable VL and climbing CD4 (now just over 600), and I feel well. I have been told by my doctors that I have a long life expectancy. I realise that it is very difficult to make predictions, but I have never had the courage to ask them exactly what this means. Do they mean 10 years, or do they mean 40?.... What is the current body of evidence regarding people like me?

The data on HIV and survival is based on where you live and the access you have to medical care and HIV medications. Your access to HIV medications, on which you are having a terrific response, anti-KS chemotherapy, and ongoing expert care as well as your commitment to care, all suggest that your survival is going to be for many years. I am not trying to fudge on your question by giving you a specific answer but there is recently published data that suggests that in resource rich countries (with access to care and appropriate adherence to treatment) the life expectancy of someone diagnosed with HIV in their 20s would be approximately into the sixth decade and that figure continues to go up.