Is diabetes similar to HIV?
Perhaps most obviously, HIV is an infectious disease and diabetes is not. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder in which the body fails to produce insulin, which regulates blood sugar. This can lead to dangerous levels of sugar in the blood.
How many years a HIV patient can live?
In 1996, the total life expectancy for a 20-year-old person with HIV was 39 years. In 2011, the total life expectancy bumped up to about 70 years. The survival rate for HIV-positive people has also dramatically improved since the first days of the HIV epidemic.
Can people with HIV have type 2 diabetes?
People with HIV are more likely to have type 2 diabetes than people without HIV. Risk factors for type 2 diabetes include being 45 years of age or older, having a family history of diabetes, and being overweight or obese. People with HIV should have their blood glucose levels checked before they start taking HIV medicines.
Can high blood sugar affect my treatment for HIV?
Experts recommend that people with HIV get their blood sugar checked before beginning treatment for HIV. Your doctor may want to check your blood sugar regularly to make sure it’s at a healthy level. If you have HIV and high blood sugar or diabetes, it may affect your treatment. People with high blood sugar may need to avoid certain HIV medicines.
Why should people with HIV have their blood glucose levels checked?
People with HIV should have their blood glucose levels checked before starting treatment with HIV medicines. People with higher-than-normal glucose levels may need to avoid taking some HIV medicines. Blood glucose testing is also important after starting HIV medicines.
What are the risk factors for type 2 diabetes?
People whose family background is African American, Alaska Native, American Indian, Asian American, Hispanic/Latino, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander American are at greater risk of type 2 diabetes. People with HIV are more likely to have type 2 diabetes than people without HIV.