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Study: Life Expectancy For HIV-Positive Americans Nearly Same As General Population

"We hope the results of this study go a long way to finally removing any remaining stigma associated with HIV."

New research has revealed that young people with HIV now have nearly the same life expectancy as the general population.

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WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 24: HIV+ patient Aaron Laxton of St. Louis, Missouri, holds up a sign in front of the White House after a march from the Washington Convention Center July 24, 2012 in Washington, DC. AIDS activists from organizations all around the world participated in the march to "demand rights and resources to confront and cure HIV/AIDS." (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

According to the government-funded study, the expected life expectancy of a 20-year-old who started antiretroviral therapy (ART) between 2008 and 2010 is 78 years. This compares to an average life expectancy of 78.9 in the United States.

The 17-year study was published this week in The Lancet and garnered responses from more than 88,000 people over the age of 16.

It showed that between 1996 and 2010, life expectancy for patients beginning ART increased by about 9 years in women and 10 years in men. Researchers attributed this increase to rapid improvements made in treatment, noting that HIV healthcare has "improved substantially in the past two decades."

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Prof. Helen Stokes-Lampard, who heads the Royal College of General Practitioners, told the BBC: "It's a tremendous medical achievement that an infection that once had such a terrible prognosis is now so manageable, and that patients with HIV are living significantly longer."

"We hope the results of this study go a long way to finally removing any remaining stigma associated with HIV."

"[This includes] ensuring that patients with HIV can live long and healthy lives without experiencing difficulties in gaining employment and–in countries where it is necessary–obtaining medical insurance," she concluded.

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Human Immunodeficiency/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome cocktail is taken twice daily. It is a mixture of protease inhibitors and vitamins

While the news is certainly something to celebrate, experts caution that the key to increased life expectancy is starting treatment early.

According to Bristol University’s Antiretroviral Therapy Cohort Collaboration, the latest developments in the field mean that new drugs are having fewer side effects and they're becoming better at preventing the spread of HIV. The virus is also less likely to build up a resistance to these drugs.

The study comes on the heels of news last week that scientists have cured HIV in live animals for the first time.

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