HIV Infection Rates Are Rising Among Seniors, New Study Shows
In a new alarming statistic, about 29% of all people with AIDS in the United States are age 50 or over. In 2001, this proportion was 17%. The number of older people diagnosed with AIDS is increasing. There are three different categories of older people with HIV, such as the people who have been living with HIV for many years, older HIV-infected people who are just learning their HIV status, and older people newly infected with HIV. Close to half of the older people with AIDS have been infected for one year or less.
Originally, the first studies of HIV in seniors were done before strong anti-HIV drugs were available. They demonstrated that older people got sicker and died faster than younger people. The weaker immune systems of older people was at first thought to be at blame for this. Also, older people usually have additional health problems along with HIV.
Research in various end of life hospice facilities shows that older people actually respond well to antiretroviral treatment. Most older patients, unless they are drug users or have mental problems, take their medications more regularly than younger patients. They have better adherence to medication schedules, so this can clearly play a role.
Older people get HIV the same way as younger people. However, they may not be as aware that they are at risk of HIV infection. They also may not know how to protect themselves from HIV transmission. Also, older people have to deal with other health issues. These can complicate the selection of anti-HIV medications. They can also be confused with some of the side effects of HIV drugs.
HIV drugs seem to work as well in older people as in younger people, although their CD4 cell counts may be lower. Also, as stated above, older people may be better about taking their medications than younger people.
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system in the assisted living industry. For more information, please visit palliativenurse.com or call 1-800-768-8221. Sky Palma is a freelance staff writer.
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Tagged with: AIDS • anti-HIV medications • antiretroviral treatment • HIV
Filed under: Alternative Medicine
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