HIV in People Over 50: A Growing Concern

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. Blood transfusions done between 1979 and 1985 also pose a risk, because blood was not screened for HIV prior to 1985.

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

Most older adults contract the virus through sexual contact—about half the men do so through homosexual encounters. But more older adults contract the disease through heterosexual contact than do their younger counterparts. In general, this mature group remains less knowledgeable than teens and young adults about the virus, its risks, and the ways to prevent it.

During the 1990s, the number of AIDS cases in older adults increased twice as fast as in younger populations. Among women, the upward trend is even more dramatic. While the number of actual cases remains low—only about 10% of AIDS cases are first diagnosed in those over age 50—Fowler finds the increases frightening and has taken to the road, sharing her story in the hopes that other middle-aged and older adults will realize that if HIV happened to her, it could happen to them. It is also quite likely that the number of new HIV cases in people over age 50 is actually higher than we know due to under reporting.

Unique Risks for Older Adults

While the majority of older Americans do not participate in behaviors that increase their risk for contracting HIV, many do. Unprotected sex is the most common cause. A few physical and social factors also add to older adults' risk, including:

• Menopausal and postmenopausal women can experience vaginal dryness and thinning, which can lead to cracks that allow easier access for the virus to enter the body.
• Older adults may associate condoms with pregnancy prevention, which is not a concern after menopause, rather than with disease prevention.
• Divorced or widowed adults who are new to the singles scene may be naive to the risks of unprotected sex and may be less likely to bring up the subject.
• Lonely adults may seek out sex with promiscuous mates or prostitutes.
• Some people may think, mistakenly, that current drug treatments are a cure. "Don't take a risk," Fowler says. "The drugs don't always work. They can stop working. They are very expensive and produce undesirable side effects."
• Some may view the golden years as a time to enjoy themselves and ignore the dangers, not realizing how the disease could devastate their quality of life.