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HIV in People Over 50

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IMAGE The possibility of becoming infected with an incurable disease never occurred to Jane Fowler. After her divorce, Jane had a sexual relationship with an old family friend. A blood test for an insurance policy alerted the 55-year-old journalist that she was infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

What Is HIV/AIDS?

The HIV virus weakens the body's immune system, leaving patients vulnerable to infections, cancers, and other diseases. People infected with HIV may not appear ill or suffer from any serious symptoms for years, and may, in fact, appear perfectly healthy. But people with HIV can pass the virus to others through sexual activity or sharing of needles. Casual contact, however, does not increase risk. The virus lives in bodily fluids, not on things, so activities such as sharing silverware, hugging, using a public toilet, or shaking hands do not increase your risk of contracting the virus.

Older Adults Less Knowledgeable of the Risks

In general, older adults remain less knowledgeable than teens and young adults about the virus, its risks, and the ways to prevent it. Jane is doing her part to educate older adults by taking to the road and sharing her story. She also founded an organization called HIV Wisdom for Older Women.

Prevention

Many successful prevention programs have been administered to people in retirement communities, at health fairs, as well as other places older adults gather. The programs use age-appropriate materials and adapt public outreach messages to address the needs of an older audience. They also recruit mature adults to pass along the message.
"We make the presentations fun," says John Gargotta, of Florida's Senior HIV Intervention Project. "Older volunteers and staff are what make our program work so well. They create a dialogue and atmosphere where people are comfortable asking questions."
There are several ways to reduce risk for contracting HIV, including:
  • Keep condoms handy and always use a latex condom during sex with someone whose disease status you do not know. Think of it as having sex not just with this person you trust and think you know, but with everyone your partner has had sex with.
  • Learn how to talk about sex and to negotiate protective barriers with potential partners.
  • Do not share any kind of needles.

Get Tested

"If anybody has put him or herself at risk, get tested," Jane says. "I feel like I was blessed that I 'flunked' the insurance company blood test when I did and found out I was infected. Had I not, I might be dead of AIDS today." Early treatment improves the odds of living with the disease.

Talk to Your Doctor

Routine blood tests do not include an HIV test, and some doctors might not consider ordering an HIV test when older patients comes in for a visit. Do not wait for your doctor to introduce the subject. If you think you may be at risk, ask for an HIV test and discuss the risks with your doctor.

RESOURCES

Center for AIDS Prevention Studies http://www.caps.ucsf.edu/

National Association on HIV Over Fifty http://www.hivoverfifty.org/

CANADIAN RESOURCES

Canadian AIDS Society http://www.cdnaids.ca/

Canadian HIV/AIDS Information Centre http://www.cpha.ca/

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines, 2010. MMWR. 2010;59(No. RR-12):1-110.

El-Sadr W, Gettler J. Unrecognized human immunodeficiency virus infection in the elderly. Arch Intern Med. 1995; 155:184.

HIV, AIDS, and older people. National Institute on Aging website. Available at: http://www.nia.nih.gov/health/publication/hiv-aids-and-older-people . Updated April 24, 2012. Accessed April 14, 2012.

Levy, JA, Ory, MG, Crystal, S. HIV/AIDS interventions for midlife and older adults: current status and challenges. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2003; 33 Suppl 2:S59.

Mack, KA, Ory, MG. AIDS and older Americans at the end of the Twentieth Century. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2003; 33 Suppl 2:S68.

Schable B, Chu SY, Diaz T. Characteristics of women50 years of age or older with heterosexually acquired AIDS. Am J Public Health . 1996; 86:1616.

Skiest DJ, et al. Human immunodeficiency virus infection in patients older than 50 years: a survey of primary care physicians' beliefs, practices, and knowledge. Archives of Family Medicine . 1997;6:289-294.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

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