The face of the HIV epidemic has changed. People ages 50 and older now represent the fastest growing segment of HIV positive adults in the United States (Sankar et al, 2011). A workshop on HIV Infection and Aging estimated that by 2015, adults aged 50 and older will make up approximately 50% of all HIV/AIDS in the U.S. (Effros et al, 2008). Factors, including decreased efficiency of the immune system and decreased likelihood that older adults have been tested for HIV, increase the vulnerability of older adults to HIV transmission (Hillman & Broderick, 2002; Solomon, 1996).
Older adults with HIV diagnosed later in life deal with a different mix of social isolation than their younger peers. The added stigmas of aging and contracting HIV through sexual activity keeps many older adults from admitting to their status or talking about their behavior openly (Cahill & Valadez, 2013). As the aging population tends to be viewed as asexual, doctors rarely assess for HIV risk factors let alone screen for the infection (Oyieng’o & Bradley, 2010). Symptoms of the infection are also mistaken for other serious diseases commonly found in elderly persons (Oyieng’o & Bradley, 2010). HIV also increases the speed of aging on the body, weakening the immune system (Zhao et al, 2011). Infectious diseases have the potential to spread exponentially, and practitioners should remember that even if only one case of HIV is prevented, an intervention can translate into the prevention of many more cases
While both women and men are affected by AIDS, younger women have a higher risk of getting infected “rates of new infections among women aged 15-24 were more than four times greater than that of men the same age” (HIV and AIDS). Statistics show there is a high efficiency of AIDS transmission from men to women because of early sexual activity and rape and violence against women. These intergenerational relationships happen because the men shower his partners with gifts, money and
The challenges that this population faces are directly related to psychosocial, physiological, economic and behavioral factors. Challenges such as these can cause serious obstacles for the prevention of STDs due to their influence on access to care, willingness to seek treatment, and social behaviors regarding sexuality. Often older adults are looked at as
Over one million cases of Chlamydia were reported to the CDC in 2013. Despite this large number of reports it actually was a decrease by 1.5% since 2012 (CDC, 2014). Epidemiology statistics showed an increase in reported syphilis, including congenital. Other sexually transmitted diseases can pose higher risks for acquiring HIV. According to new studies, HIV is growing faster in populations that are over 50 versus 40 years and younger (BenRose, 2014). Factors may play a role in this such as higher divorce rates, new medications, and safe sex measures. Therefore, it is important for the healthcare provider screen for sexual activity and any change in sexual partners to provide routine testing when necessary and education on preventive
In the 1980s, a mysterious disease began to take the lives of Americans. With the cause unknown, a fear grew among Americans. An unusually high rate of people was becoming sick with strange and rare diseases. When experimental treatments failed to work, people died. This mysterious disease is what we now know as HIV–Human Immunodeficiency Virus. In the past thirty-five years, the HIV has taken many turns in history. Although we do not hear about HIV and AIDS now, it is still a prevalent issue in the United States and in the world.
There is some good news in the fight against HIV. Between 2005 and 2014 new diagnosis of HIV have fallen by 19% nationwide (CDC, 2017). Those living with HIV are now living longer, healthier lives and have the opportunity to
Further, the primary prevention of STDs is assessing behavior risk, which place he/she at risk of acquisition or transmission of the infection. Second, heath-care providers must routinely address risk of unsafe sex by interviewing and counseling with respect, compassion, and non-judgmental behavior. Using open ending questions techniques and by reinforcing that condoms are the best option of defense and prevention of STDs. Unfortunately, some older adults with diagnosis of a STD are not able to benefit from medications treatment due to they are embarrassed; it strike as surprising because some of the STDs have no symptoms until permanent damage has strike; therefore, it is imperative that healthcare providers initiate the dialogue. Times are different and growing older is not stereotype of impotence or less sex activities, which is a recipe for increase STDs (King et al,
“At the end of 2013, an estimated 1.2 million persons aged 13 and older were living with HIV infection in the United States, including an estimated 161,200 (13%) persons whose infections had not been diagnosed (cdc.gov).” Many people report never experiencing any symptoms and don’t even know
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a serious condition in our society. If left untreated, HIV can progress to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) (CDC, 2016a). Once a person is infected with HIV, it can never be completely removed from the body, meaning they are infected for the remainder of their life (CDC, 2016a). HIV was initially thought to be a problem only in younger generations (Ellman, Sexton, Warshafsky, Sobieszczyk, & Morrison, 2014). However, evidence has emerged suggesting that an epidemic may be brewing in the older adult population (Ellman et al., 2014; Karpiak & Brennan-Ing, 2016; Robnett & Chop, 2015). I decided to research this topic, because I personally had no idea that HIV was so prevalent in this age group.
occur more frequently in the teenagers than in older populations, and half of new HIV
Americans ages fifteen to the age of twenty four contract chlamydia or gonorrhea at four times the rate of general population, and those in their early twenties and older are more likely to contract syphilis or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Those who are having sex are more likely to have multiple partners, which increases the risk of getting a sexually transmitted disease. (Steinmetz)
In addition, the sex lives of older adults was long ignored and lacked in study, but is receiving the attention due to some astounding statistics. Rates of STDs such as chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis have doubled for the older people in their fifties, sixties, seventies in the past decade due to the lack of information
Because majority of HIV prevention/intervention programs do not adequately address the incidence of HIV in the older adult cohort, this population is at increased risk for the incidence of HIV infection compared to that of the younger generation. Because older adults have preexisting comorbidities, effects of normal aging, and knowledge deficit related to the virus, their cohort would benefit greatly from the program. The program seeks to improve the knowledge of HIV incidence, prevalence, and transmission in the cohort, and seeks to improve thought processes diminishing the stigmas related to HIV as well as introduce risk reduction behaviors to this cohort to decrease the incidence of HIV. The use of module training to increase awareness on susceptibility, educate about factual and age-appropriate information, and incorporating risk reduction structures the program accordingly to support the needs of the cohort. This program also serves as a means of involvement for the cohort to get acquainted within their community. The success of the program will be guaranteed, and will be a great asset towards the 50 and over residents in the Baltimore City
HIV is the human immunodeficiency virus that causes AIDS. A member of a group of viruses called retroviruses, HIV infects human cells and uses the energy and nutrients provided by those cells to grow and reproduce. AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is a disease in which the body's immune system breaks down and is unable to fight off certain infections, known as "opportunistic infections," and other illnesses that take advantage of a weakened immune system. When a person is infected with HIV, the virus enters the body and lives and multiplies primarily in the white blood cells. These are the immune cells that normally protect us from disease.
HIV, or the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, is a virus which damages and kills cells of the immune system. It attacks the T-cells, key cells of the immune system, and uses them to make copies of itself. After being infected with the virus it progressively interferes and eventually destroys the immune system's ability to fight the anti-genes. HIV may develop into the syndrome AIDS, the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. HIV is an STD - a sexually transmitted disease - and therefore most commonly it is spread through sexual contact, and the virus mainly enters the body through the penis, mouth, lining of the vagina or vulva during sexual activity. HIV can also be spread through sharing syringes or needles with someone who is infected with the
According to NATIONAL SURVEY OF TEENS AND YOUNG ADULTS ON HIV/AIDS, “There are more than 1.1 million people in the United States living with HIV today, more than at any time in the history of the epidemic. Young people account for two in five new infections in the U.S., and minorities and gay men have been disproportionately affected. To better understand the views of young people in the U.S. on HIV/AIDS at this critical juncture in the epidemic, the Kaiser Family Foundation contracted with the research firm GfK in the fall of 2012 to conduct a national survey of 1,437 teens and young adults ages 15 through 24.( Kaiser Family Foundation 2012)” Nowadays, the age of maturity starts at an early age. From that point, they enter a world full of sexual desires that is apart of being human. This is why it is important for the parent(s) to be