I'm young and aging with HIV.

you're right about that and there should be more awareness of the impact of aging that comes about at a younger age. If you're interested in sharing more, feel free to addd your thoughts here and I'll share it more widely so we can have this important conversation - https://h-i-v.net/stories In the meantime I will work on my end to learn more from the community on this topic. - Liz (Team Member)

Honestly I have no idea as I am 37y old

I do think this is a valid concern. Depending on how early you are diagnosed, the effects of aging could vary. When I was diagnosed, my CD4 count was under 50! While I am in the 400s now, it has been years in the making. It is hard to know what issues are HIV/AIDs related and what issues are early aging issues. Despite this, I do think that somebody who was diagnosed as late in the virus progression as I was would be prone to issues that somebody who was quickly diagnosed would not.

This is such an important topic to bring up. I don't know that I've read anything conclusive about why accelerated aging happens. There seems to be a loose mix of ideas ranging from the immune system being constantly activated as it fights the virus to the long-term effects of the treatments we take to suppress HIV.


I can only speak to what works for me, but I find that lifestyle choices involving nutrition, exercise and stress management have helped to control the progression of some of my co-morbidities.


This is definitely a topic our community needs to be advocates for in HIV education. Let us know how you are doing.


Take care