Do I need to take anti-retroviral therapy if I am HIV positive?

Q: I am a 33 years old HIV positive man for the last 8 years and have not yet started any anti-retroviral therapy. I have health problems like visible tumours on my hands, bleeding gums for the last one year. Do I have any chances of recovery if I start the treatment now?

A:If you are HIV positive and have still not yet started any anti-retroviral therapy, is it because your check up or evaluation by a qualified doctor (expert in ARV therapy) does not want any ARV or you have not started ARV though have been advised to do so?Please note that all HIV positive at some point or the other do require ARV. The ARV drugs help in leading a longer and healthy life for HIV positive persons. However, these drugs don't eradicate HIV from the body, hence the person always remains HIV positive.