More Seniors Living With HIV

HIV-Infected Are Living Longer But Don't Get 'Safe Sex' Advice

(WebMD)  Many doctors may also be reluctant to think of their older patients as sexually active. Studies suggest that only 30 percent-40 percent of younger patients are asked by their doctors about sexual history or practices, a rate that is almost surely lower for patients over 50, Jannsen said.

As the numbers of seniors living with HIV continues to grow, so too will the demand for services, they noted.

Jeanine Reilly, executive director for Broadway House for Continuing Care in Newark, N.J., said the average age of patients at the long-term care facility for AIDS sufferers has increased from 31 to 44 in the last four years.

"This is a much bigger danger than most people are aware of," she told WebMD. Reilly also complained that Viagra and related drugs have encouraged older people to have more sex without a corresponding increase in safe sex education.

"Baby boomers are not relinquishing their sexuality simply because they are getting older," she said. "The message about the threat of HIV/AIDS is not there."

Smith, who leads the aging committee, said he was likely to add provisions for improved AIDS education for older persons when Congress considers the reauthorization of the Ryan White AIDS Care Act later this year.

Sources: Robert S. Jannsen, MD, director, division of HIV/AIDS, CDC. Jeanine Reilly, executive director, Broadway House for Continuing Care, Newark, N.J. Sen. Gordon Smith (R-Ore.).