Friday, November 25, 2022

Older women and HIV

HIV infection is increasing. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the number of Americans over 50 with HIV has increased fivefold (16,300 in 1995, 90,600 in 2003). The elderly represent about 14% of those living with HIV, with senior women representing 18%. The number of infected women is even higher for American women of color, and when looking at global HIV infection rates comes in at a staggering 47%. This means that less than half of all HIV infections worldwide are found in women.

A recent study published by Emory University found one reason for the high number of older women with HIV. They surveyed 514 women over the age of 50 and found that their knowledge about the infection was low. For example, about 50% of women believed that vasectomy and diaphragms prevent the spread of HIV.

Other reasons include that many older women, who have sex with men, also do not use condoms, knowing that they are past the point of worrying about pregnancy. Women also mistakenly think that they cannot get HIV if they do not engage in behaviors they perceive as risky. This is the truth of the matter. HIV is a virus. It is an opportunist. It doesn't matter whether you are male or female. It doesn't matter who you've had sex with or how many people you've had sex with. It certainly doesn't care about the color of your skin, your bank balance or your age.

HIV is primarily spread in two ways. The first is the sharing of contaminated intravenous drug equipment. Second, and more commonly, HIV is spread through unprotected sex. Women are more often receptive partners and receptive partners are more likely to be infected. Post-menopausal women are at greater risk due to changes in vaginal tissue. With less estrogen to nourish the vagina, tissue atrophies (thins) and less oiliness occurs. A woman can easily get small tears in her vaginal tissue, thus leaving an opening for the virus to enter her bloodstream.

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What should a woman do?

Know your own HIV status. Contact your health care provider, or (if you want anonymous testing) contact your local health department for testing. I do not recommend home testing at this time. First, if you are positive, are you really? And if you are negative, are you really? If positive, confirmatory blood test is required. Many offices have started using rapid in-office tests where initial results are available within 20 minutes. During this time you can get proper information on how to proceed.

Know your partner's history (this goes for women with both male and female partners!) Do they have multiple partners and a history of unprotected sex? Have they been tested? When? Did they get a follow-up exam in 6 months? What were the results?

Condoms and lubrication are essential. Use them not only on your partners body parts that can penetrate you, but also on the toys you are using There are several online and confidential sources to purchase lubricants, condoms and gloves.

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Limit your exposure if possible. If you engage in high-risk

behavior with a casual or new partner, think twice.

Be self-educated. The information presented here is just a small part of what you need to know. We each bear the responsibility to educate ourselves and our partners.

For many women, sexual activity doesn't stop just because they reach a certain age. I encourage you to continue enjoying yourselves, but do so safely

For over 26 years, Barbara C. Phillips, MN, NP involved in healthcare. Now, as the founder of OlderWiserWomen, LLC, that experience and passion is focused on women who want to experience the freedom, magic and wisdom of successful aging. She can be contacted at http://www.OlderWiserWomen.com

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FAQ

Is HIV more common in older adults?

In general, older people are often considered to be at lower risk of contracting HIV

Does HIV progress faster in older people?

Age itself is an important predictor of HIV-1 disease progression. HIV infection progresses to AIDS more rapidly in older than in younger patients, and mortality is much higher in older patients who develop AIDS-defining illness [136].

How old is a person infected with HIV?

Anyone, at any age, can get HIV. People usually acquire HIV through unprotected sex with an HIV-infected person, contact with HIV-infected blood, or sharing needles with an HIV-infected person. You may be at risk if: You have sex without a latex or polyurethane condom.

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