Dear al45,
The life expectancy of people with HIV and AIDS can be today enhanced
through medications. Therefore, the fate of those who do not enjoy the
benefits of modern medicine (for example: in Third World countries) is
totally different from that of those who take regularly Retrovir (AZT,
DDI, DDC).
According to the "Walter Reed Stages of HIV", Stage Two of AIDS is one
where "Although the immune response appears to be effective in the
blood stream, the infected immune cells continue to gather in the
lymph nodes. During this time, the infection moves into stage two, and
billions of T4 cells are killed and replaced by the immune system
everyday. The immune system becomes slightly less effective, but the
infected person remains reasonably healthy during this time" (Source:
The Course of HIV Infection,
<http://www.med.upenn.edu/bioethic/Museum/Panitch/AIDSCYC.HTM>).
There is a controversy among scientist as to the length of the stage
two period. Reed claims that "Stage two typically lasts around three
to five years, before the continued decline of the immune system moves
the infection into stage three" (ibid.). However, other sources claim
that the period is even longer, getting to 8-10 years (Access Health,
"General Information" <http://www.yourhealth.com/ahl/2300.html>). It
should be noted, that Reed's "Stage One" and "Stage Two" are combined
here.
Stage Three of HIV is one where "... the T4 cell count drops from a
healthy number of 700- 1300 (per mm3) to about 400. T4 cells are the
"quarterbacks" of the immune system, and as they become depleted, the
immune system loses effectiveness. Stage three provides direct
evidence that HIV is winning the battle against the body. Stage three
usually lasts about 18 months, but it varies dramatically between
individuals" (Source: The Course of HIV Infection,
<http://www.med.upenn.edu/bioethic/Museum/Panitch/AIDSCYC.HTM>).
Together with the assumption (ibid.) that a patient with full blown
AIDS can survive five years, the total life expetancy (from stage II)
may be more than 10 years, and somewhere between 9-12. That is based
on Reed's categorisation, while more generous categorisation discuss
10 years as Stage Two only, and together with Stage Three/Four, as
well as with the continuation of AIDS - to more than 12 years.
I hope that answered your question. However, please contact me for any
clarifications. |
Clarification of Answer by
politicalguru-ga
on
05 Oct 2002 05:13 PDT
Dear al45,
Full blown AIDS occurs in the 5th-6th stages of AIDS - these stages
could endure several months, and even several years, in some cases (on
the other hand, when the body is very weak, that could also take
several weeks). This is a stage whereas the life expectancy (or
"survival") of an individual depends on the level of treatment the
patient receives and on many other factors. As you have noted in your
question, in this particular case, pneumonia and Hodgkin's disease and
the ability to handle these diseases are factors in the problem and it
is very difficult to determine from the data you gave what would the
life expectancy of this person be.
If you're asking about a "real" medical case, I suggest you'll consult
the patient's physician regarding his prognosis. Every and each person
is unique, and the average would not matter about one particular
individual.
I hope that helps.
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