HIV Targets Senior Citizens by Esther Smith
Entering her second year as a
widow, my dear friend Rachael was past the several stages of grief and closing
that chapter of her life; not an easy task but necessary for anyone who has
survival instincts. She began dating again and I couldn't have been happier for
her. Sam was like a brother in a sense; a long time friend from our college
days. At first it was dinner and theater tickets but soon developed into
weekends at his Lake house.
Post menopausal, it didn't occur to Rachael to consider condoms. And in
retrospect, she would not have asked Sam about his sexual activities - there
were things our generation didn't talk about. Therefore when her physician put
her through a battery of tests because of her complaints regarding sudden weight
loss and fatigue, she was shocked when she tested positive for HIV.
How does this happen at age 64, she wanted to know. But it's a fact: anyone can
get HIV/AIDS regardless of age from having unprotected sex, or sharing needles
with an infected person. Latex condoms can help prevent, but not insure an
infected person from transferring the virus to another. Because she did not know
her partner's drug and/or sexual history, she was at risk!
Best friends since high school Rachael confided in me. We decided to do an
in-depth study of patients 55 years and older with HIV/AIDS. But we were
immediately at a disadvantage because many, or should we say most, older people
often mistake signs of this virus for the normal aging complaints -- exactly as
Rachael had and they are less likely to get tested. Besides, what patient in
their senior years wants to discuss their sexual activity with a physician
that's probably half their age? Not!
We soon realized the myths and misconceptions regarding all elderly citizens
help put the barriers in the way of diagnosis and treatment of HIV/AIDS. It is
still assumed that old people live a life of celibacy and sobriety.
Unfortunately, senior adults do not always conform to public images any more
than teens do. Adding to this the doctor's "Don't ask, don't tell" posture and
we're at an impasse.
Statistics do confirm that older women are becoming infected at a higher rate
than older men. Without the fear of pregnancy, the post-menopausal woman who is
uninformed of the dangers may become more sexually active with more partners.
Even her biology increases her risk as the vaginal walls thin and lubrication
decreases; thus, the membranes are more likely to tear during intercourse,
providing access for the virus.
But whatever the reasons... failure to communicate leads to failure of diagnosis
in its early, most treatable stages. In many ways, HIV and old age converge and
aggravate each other rather than conflict. For instance, memory loss may
indicate AIDS-related dementia or Alzheimer's disease. This distinction is
important because dementia can be reversed; Alzheimer's cannot.
As if the social isolation among senior citizens who have lost a spouse is not
enough, it is multiplied many times over if their families realize they have
HIV/AIDS. Shamefully, this virus entered a society already having little respect
for its seniors. Most adult children lack the patience, and precious few want
the burden of caring for their parents in their final years.
While it is common knowledge that the face of AIDS is changing with the greater
proportion being people of color, women, children and heterosexuals -- what we
never hear is that the face is also aging.
2006 © Esther Smith
About the Author:
Smith is editor/publisher of a weekly
Newsletter and writes numerous Articles. Subscribe to her blog:
http://wordsmith.eponym.com/blog and find more
answers to your health issues at her website:
http://health.cashoftheday.com
Source: This article is taken from
www.goarticles.com
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