. During what point of the HIV life cycle does an infected person develop AIDS?

The HIV "lifecycle" commonly refers to the process that HIV undertakes to replicate itself. This process goes on continually and in an untreated person, HIV can make up to 10 Billion copies every day.

So, there is no point in the HIV "lifecycle" that would have anything to do with an AIDS diagnosis.

If you mean at what point of HIV disease does an infected person develop AIDS, then:

-it commpletely depends on many factors like *viral genetics *host genetics * cofactors/coinfections with other diseases *nutrition, etc.

-some people who get infected with HIV can progress to AIDS in a few years, though the average is about 8-12 years for most people....there are also some people who progress more slowly, and a small amount who seem not to be progressing at all.

-the 8-12 year average does not take into account antiretroviral medications which we have available. These medications can, in many cases, prolong a person with HIV's life drastically. Some even argue that these meds can allow a good portion of people to live an average lifespan. Granted, the side effects of the meds can negatively affect the quality of life

-so with access to antiretroviral meds when needed, with good clinical care, and supportive friends and family a person with HIV has a good chance of living for a very long time

-the diagnosis of AIDS occurs when the immune system levels (CD4 count) drops below 200 and one or more specific opportunistic infections is diagnosed. An AIDS diagnosis, today, in North America, is not necessarily an indicator of immediate death. Often initiating meds or changing a regimen that isn't working will indirectly increase the CD4 count considerably, often above 200. At a count of above 200, a person can fight off most infections, including many of the opportunistic infections that came with the AIDS diagnosis.

Hope this helps

HIV damages the immune system by destroying CD4 cells, which are the cells that help us fight infection. When the CD4 count drops to 200 or lower, diagnosis changes from HIV+ to AIDS. At that point, the person is much more susceptible to other infections such as pneumonia, colds, or flu, and any of these secondary infections could kill them.

Edit: If you are wondering how long it takes a person with HIV to develop AIDS: That depends on many factors, including the health of the person before infection, the person's response to treatment, and the person's response to the virus itself. Many people with HIV are able to live healthier longer with treatment, and may not develop AIDS for many years.

It depends on the person.

The average person who has HIV is expected to be able to live for an average of 8-10 years before progressing to an AIDS diagnosis.

It's actually not that rare for someone to get an AIDS diagnosis within 2 years of receiving an HIV diagnosis. People have a tendency to think that they got HIV around the time that they took the HIV test and learned that they were positive; in fact that, this is often not the case.

A recent CDC study found that 44% of people who test positive for HIV are "late-testers." This means that they are not learning of their status until 5-10 years after they were already HIV+. They may progress to AIDS within a few years after they diagnosis (or the may not) but it is not because they have "super HIV" or because they did anything wrong. It would be because they were already closing in on the average before they learned of their status.

In reality, it is not necessarily true that a person will ever receive an AIDS diagnosis. If a person is receiving proper medical care, taking care of themselves and taking their medications, they may never get an AIDS diagnosis.

And, for the people who do receive AIDS diagnosis, it is entirely possible that it can be reversed if they receive medical care, take care of themselves and take their medications.

That depends, there have been people who have been given an AIDS diagnosis within 2 years, though it is very rare. There are LTNP who have had HIV for decades without developing AIDS. On average, 10 years if you go without medication. If you are positive however, and you see your ID every 3 months, and you stay strict with respect to taking your meds, there is no reason why you would not live a normal life span.

they may never go over that "cliff" to full blown aids. Look at Magic Johnson, he came out with HIV how many years ago..and he is still doing great and has not crossed that line to AIDS.