Living with HIV long term

People living with HIV can enjoy long, healthy lives now, but it's important to know how HIV and HIV treatment might affect your long-term health and what to look out for.

Lady wearing red ribbon

Ageing

Many older people who are living with HIV lead healthy, active and exciting lives, but some health problems can be more common in people living with HIV. Read more about Ageing

Woman checking her own blood pressure

Blood pressure

High blood pressure (or hypertension) can be caused by a range of lifestyle factors such as poor diet, smoking or a lack of exercise. Some kinds of HIV treatment may increase the risk of high blood... Read more about Blood pressure

Thoughtful man

Cancer

There are over 200 types of cancer. Three of these are classified as AIDS-defining cancers under British HIV Association guidelines. Read more about Cancer

Man looking out of window

Kidney problems

If you’re living with HIV, your kidneys will have to be regularly tested for possible damage from HIV medicine and issues like high blood pressure. Read more about Kidney problems

Someone holding a device to measure blood sugar for diabetes, with a blood of drop on the finger

Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes can be managed by lifestyle changes such as a good diet, exercise and not smoking. Read more about Diabetes

Clutching chest

Heart problems

Untreated HIV increases the risk of heart disease but starting treatment reduces the risks. Read more about Heart problems

Clutching head

Cognitive impairment

A combination of factors can cause cognitive impairment in people with HIV. Sometimes lifestyle changes can help keep it at bay. HIV-associated dementia is now very rare. Read more about Cognitive impairment

Man with knee raised

Osteoporosis

People living with HIV have more incidences of bone mineral density loss and fragility fractures. Read more about Osteoporosis

Holding hot water bottle to stomach

Menstruation

If your viral load is detectable or you’re not on treatment, HIV is in your menstrual blood and poses a transmission risk. Having HIV can also affect your menstrual cycle and disrupt your periods. Read more about Menstruation

Woman worried

Menopause

Some evidence suggests that women living with HIV may start the menopause a few years earlier than women without HIV, especially if they have a low CD4 count. Read more about Menopause

Blood cells

Haemophilia and HIV

Haemophilia is a genetic condition which impairs the blood clotting process in the body. In the 1970s and 1980s in the UK many people with haemophilia were infected with HIV through blood... Read more about Haemophilia and HIV