Can one live with HIV for 30 years without showing signs

We found out recently that my brother who is 30 years old is HIV-positive. He is now sick and weak. Our father died 15 years ago and he too had AIDS, I am not sure of my mother’s status since we never talk about HIV at home and she lives out of the country.

QDear Doctor, 
We found out recently that my brother who is 30 years old is HIV-positive. He is now sick and weak. Our father died 15 years ago and he too had AIDS, I am not sure of my mother’s status since we never talk about HIV at home and she lives out of the country.
 
My brother claims he has had only one girlfriend in his life and when she tested, she was found to be HIV negative. Could it be that he was infected with HIV from our parents?
 
Can someone born with HIV live with the virus without showing signs until he is 30 years of age? 
Janet
 
ADear Janet, 
It is possible for someone to live with HIV for a long time without showing signs of the disease. Progression of HIV disease in individuals depends on several factors, which include; the environment in which they live, one’s natural immunity and the virulence or aggressiveness of the virus one is infected with.
 
This could explain why HIV has had more devastating effects in sub-Saharan Africa than elsewhere in the world. As you know, this is the part of the world, which also has the highest number of poor people living in unfavourable environments.
 
That is why we encourage all people, especially children born to HIV positive parents to be tested for the disease. HIV is a family disease and it is unfortunate that you do not talk about it at home.
 
This disease thrives on such behaviour where people who are infected or suspect that they may be infected keep quiet and could even continue infecting others they love like spouses or children. 
 
If we are to stop new infections and prevent people from developing AIDS like what has happened to your brother, we must overcome stigma, which leads to discrimination of people living with HIV and make many of them to live in denial.