Since the AIDs epidemic of the 1980s, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDs) has cut short the lives of an estimated 35 million people globally.

Last week, a study published in the Lancet showed that people with AIDS who are treated with so-called anti-retro viral therapy can now expect to live almost as long as those without the disease.

Speaking on The Pat Kenny Show, Luke O’Neill, Professor of Biochemistry at Trinity College Dublin said the study means that an AIDs diagnosis is no longer a death sentence.

"From 2008, if you're treated from then on, your life expectancy is normal because they got the treatments right and the drug combination was worked out more effectively," he said.

However, 1 in 8 people remain un-diagnosed.

"Incidences are going up. In Ireland, there was a 25% increase in people with HIV between 2013 and 2014. People are getting a bit more careless.

"You don't want to be on these tablets either. They're can be side-effects. People should realise you should avoid this and have safe sex."

Is everyone getting the treatment?

Drug companies have long been embroiled in controversies surrounding providing adequate access to drugs.

"There's 40 million people with AIDs and HIV in Africa, with a million deaths a year still happen," he said. "They can't get the drugs to these people.

"The US and the UK put money up to help pay for these drugs in Africa, but more needs to be done."

You can listen to the full interview below.