Sep 9, 2006 12:23 am US/Mountain
HIV Patients Are Living Longer Than Ever
by Jim Benemann
DENVER (CBS4) ―
It's been 25 years since HIV was first discovered and today people with the virus are living longer than ever. The increased life expectancy for patients presents new challenges for doctors and caregivers.
Richard Moore managed several cafeterias before he was diagnosed 12 years ago with HIV.
"It changed my life and my careers because of certain jobs I wasn't able to do anymore," said Richard Moore.
He never thought he would live this long.
"I'm 36 now and I'm lucky to be here talking to you and I'm glad I am," Moore said.
He's among a growing number of patients living longer with HIV.
"So the average life expectancy for somebody with HIV continues to grow with each new medication that comes on the market," said Dr. Mark Thrun with the Denver Health Medical Center.
That is creating new challenges for patients like Moore. He's healthy enough to lead an active life but not strong enough for a full time job.
"Then you have to worry about your rent, about your phone, about how much you're going to have to eat … to wash your clothes, money in your pocket," Moore said.
These new worries take a different kind of toll. The medical community is just realizing that treating HIV has to go far beyond drugs.
"We need to provide support for people living with HIV so that they can function normally so they're not spending the rest of life on disability," Dr. Thrun said.
Moore hopes to live another 10 years with HIV but for now says he's happy with every day he has.
"I might not be here tomorrow but I'm going to live today and as much as I can," Moore said.
(© MMVI CBS Television Stations, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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