Some people have zero symptoms until the HIV becomes full blown AIDS and they get many symptoms at once.Never take for granted that just because you feel good,you are HIV free...Get tested even if you feel great and have experienced no symptoms...I had no symptoms for over a decade and BAM!..when I got sick it almost killed me.

Oh wow, I didn't know that. Thanks for the info...
Would you say it is "the norm" though to experience some symptoms by years 12-13? I will get tested... however, I do believe from what I understand about the disease that it is unusual to go for years after a decade without having any symptoms? From what I read, hiv usually turns to aids within 8-10 years? Take Good Care

Its different for every single person...that's one of the things that make it so dangerous.
I had a friend who had 3 lovers die from AIDS and he was never ever sick...still has never been sick BUT he carries the virus and infected his boy friends with it and even though he never got AIDS and never has been ill,he carries the HIV/AIDS virus...its scary...do get tested just to be safe and sure...good luck to you..

Wow, that's incredible. I'm so sorry to hear that. That must be really hard for your friend to deal with...I stilllll believe though that it's not the norm to go 12-13 years and not know it. I'm not disputing, it does happen, but from medical research, it doesn't sound like that's usually the course of the disease?

read it here
http://www.avert.org/aids.htm

Without drug treatment, HIV infection usually progresses to AIDS in an average of ten years. This average, though, is based on a person having a reasonable diet. Someone who is malnourished may well progress to AIDS and death more rapidly.

Antiretroviral medication can prolong the time between HIV infection and the onset of AIDS. Modern combination therapy is highly effective and, theoretically, someone with HIV can live for a long time before it becomes AIDS. These medicines, however, are not widely available in many poor countries around the world, and millions of people who cannot access medication continue to die.

Thanks- that's a great website.
take care buddy xo

The norm is 7-10 years without symptoms. But this may change from person to person or country to country.

Muthoni (Mson)