Chronic illness and co-morbidities for African Australians living with HIV

HIV is now a chronic illness, rather than a death sentence. The long-term complications of HIV infection, like those of diabetes mellitus, are preventable with constant monitoring, adherence to treatment management of co-existing health conditions and attention to general health. People diagnosed with HIV may now look forward to many years of good health and a life expectancy comparable to that of people without HIV, although the benefits of combination antiretroviral therapy are diminished by late diagnosis, older age at diagnosis and imperfect adherence to treatment.