74-Year-Old HIV Survivor Shares Journey After 30 Years, New Treatment Success

Barbara Roberts has lived with HIV for 30 years. Now, at 74, a new FDA-approved medication is transforming how she manages the virus.

Roberts was diagnosed with HIV in 1996 at the age of 44. Today, at 74, she continues to thrive with the help of a recently approved treatment.

In 1996, Roberts believed she had a severe case of the flu that wouldn’t go away. After days of high fever and sweating, she visited the emergency room but was sent home with antibiotics.

"I just still didn’t feel well," Roberts told Healthline. "And I remember going back to the emergency room."

She was hospitalized for three days while doctors conducted tests. On December 21, 1996, Roberts received her HIV diagnosis. She was 44 years old.

"It surprised me because it never occurred to me that that’s what was going wrong with me," she said. "I was in total shock, disarray, scared to death because back then, it was like a death sentence."

In 1996, the average life expectancy for a 20-year-old with HIV was just 39 years. By 2011, that number had risen to about 70 years.

Roberts left the hospital with a medication regimen and began visiting an HIV clinic for support.

"Everyone was so nice to me there. They were so kind and calmed all my fears; they tried to at least," said Roberts.

Initially, her medications helped alleviate symptoms, and she felt better. However, a year after her diagnosis, Roberts experienced extreme fatigue, shortness of breath, and nosebleeds. She also noticed darkening of the skin on her hands and feet. A severe nosebleed sent her back to the ER, where doctors found critically low blood platelet levels.

For 25 consecutive days, Roberts received blood and platelet transfusions in the hospital. Doctors later determined that one of her medications was causing the symptoms and adjusted her treatment.

"After that, I have never gone back to the hospital or had any problems with my medications, and I’ve had different ones over the years," said Roberts.

Clinical Trial Leads to Simplified HIV Treatment

In 2021, Roberts’ rheumatologist, Debbie Hagins, MD, medical director of the Coastal CARE Centers in southeast Georgia, invited her to participate in a clinical trial for Idvynso, a once-daily two-drug single-tablet treatment for people with HIV who are virally suppressed.

"She explained the medication to me and asked if I would like to be in a study," said Roberts. "I felt it was a privilege for her to ask me to be in this study."

Roberts enrolled because she was eager to take just one medication per day.

"The only thing I remember from initially taking the medication was I had really vivid dreams for about two weeks, and it’s been smooth sailing [since]," said Roberts.