People with AIDS are living longer, dying of non-HIV-caused illnesses, research finds

A survey of ten years’ worth of medical records has found that, due to the increased efficacy of antiretroviral drugs, AIDS patients are living longer and are more likely to die of diseases unrelated to HIV.

Researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) determined that from 1996 to 2006 deaths from HIV- and AIDS-related opportunistic infections decreased from over 35,000 to just 13,750.

Conversely, they saw an increase in deaths from cancer and heart disease, as well as kidney and liver failure, all of which are diseases unrelated to HIV.

They concluded that antiretroviral therapy allows AIDS patients to live long enough to succumb to common, chronic diseases.

According to the CDC, HIV prevention and detection are crucial to life expectancy. Individuals concerned about their sexual health may look into online testing services for sexually transmitted diseases.

Currently, more than 56,000 Americans contracts HIV each year, the CDC reports.