HIV is a virus which can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) a condition where the immune system begins to fail, leaving to life threatening opportunistic infections. The most advanced stage of HIV infection is acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). It can take 10-15 years for an HIV-infected person to develop AIDS. Antiretroviral drugs can slow down the process even further. HIV can be transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse, transfusion of contaminated blood products, sharing of contaminated needles and between a mother and her infant during pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding.
The World Health Organisation estimated that at the end of 2007 33.2 million people were living with HIV. That same year, some 2.5 million people became newly infected, and 2.1 million died of AIDS, including 330,000 children. Two thirds of HIV infections are in sub-Saharan Africa.
At present there is no cure for HIV. With good and continued adherence to anti-retroviral treatment, the progression of HIV in the body can be slowed to a near halt. Despite this, the long term survival beyond 10 years of HIV infected persons is still not well documented.
Unfortunately at the present time we are unable to consider any terms for a person who is HIV positive or whose condition has progressed to AIDS.
A HIV test may be requested as part of an insurance application in the following circumstances:
- Total level of life cover is in excess of €1,500,000 .
- Total level of income protection is in excess of €80,000 p.a.
- There is a history of a sexually iransmitted infection.
- The person has, within the past 10 years, resided in a country where this is evidence of an increased incidence rate of HIV infection.
Terms may be available on some select cases for a person who is HIV positive. Please contact Underwriting directly to discuss this.
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