Tri-State Urgent Care Centers
Tri-State Urgent Care LLC
Open 7 days a week , convenient times
NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY
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Tri-State Urgent Care Centers Tri-State Urgent Care LLC Open 7 days a week , convenient times NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY
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Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and Human Immunodefiency Virus
(HIV) in Older Adults
What is AIDS?
AIDS is a life-threatening illness caused by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The HIV organism destroys part of the immune system, which is the body's natural defense against infection and disease. It takes from 3 to 6 weeks, but can take several months for the body to form antibodies, which are proteins produced in response to the virus. These antibodies can be detected in the blood. When the antibodies are found in your blood you are said to be HIV-positive. When you begin to lose the ability to fight off serious infection, or if you acquire certain forms of cancer and other diseases, you are said to have AIDS.
How does it occur?
HIV is spread by direct contact with infected blood, semen, or vaginal secretions. Direct contact includes having sex with an infected person, sharing needles with an infected person, or receiving HIV-infected blood or organ transplants. The virus is also found in smaller amounts in tears, saliva, brain/spinal fluid, breast milk, urine, and feces, although contact with these bodily fluids is not likely to transmit the virus. HIV is NOT spread by casual contact such as by shaking hands, touching an infected person, touching something that the person has handled, using public toilets or telephones, or using swimming pools.
How does HIV infection affect older adults?
Society generally may not consider older adults to be at risk for AIDS. However, of reported cases of HIV infection, 10% are in people over age 55, and this rate is increasing. Approximately 1 in 25 cases of AIDS in the U.S. now occurs in persons 65 years of age and older. HIV-infected older adults often suffer due to social and emotional isolation and lack of a support network. They may also have to face informing family members. Among those over age 55 diagnosed with HIV infection, the main cause (65%) has been male-to-male homosexual contact. Infected blood transfusions has been the second most frequent cause. These blood transfusions generally occurred before 1985, when reliable testing for the virus was developed. The blood supply now is very safe.
What are the symptoms of AIDS?
The symptoms of AIDS are the symptoms of the diseases that attack your body because of a weakened immune system. Symptoms may include:
. A physical exam and other tests are necessary to rule out specific causes of these symptoms.
How do you test for HIV infection?
The ELISA test and the Western blot tests are blood tests used to detect HIV antibodies. A negative test does not guarantee that a person is not infected. If the person has only recently been infected, the antibodies may not yet have been formed. It may take up to 6 months for someone to develop antibodies after exposure to the virus. A positive test indicates that the person has been exposed to the virus and has developed antibodies. Testing can be done at the local Department of Health clinic or at your private physician's office. It is very important that counseling is done before testing to help decide if you should be tested and what tests are to be done and after the testing to explain the results.
Who is at high risk for HIV infection?
Older persons who have multiple sexual partners, including heterosexuals, may not use condoms because they consider them birth control devices rather than a means of preventing HIV infection. After the death of a long-term partner, older gay men may turn to younger men as sexual partners, increasing their risks of contracting disease.
How can I avoid exposure to HIV?
You are safest if you are in a stable relationship with one partner and both of you are uninfected.
At this time, there is no cure or immunization that will prevent HIV infection. Anyone engaging in at-risk behaviors should contact a physician to arrange for a complete physical examination and blood tests. All information for HIV testing is confidential. Except for mandatory reporting to health authorities, health care providers may not give test results to anyone other than the patient. The best way to protect yourself is to learn as much as you can about HIV infection, avoid risky behavior, and follow guidelines for protection.
Where can I get additional information about HIV and AIDS?
If you need more information, contact Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Hotline:
For HIV/AIDS treatment information call:
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