Private MD News

Older adults more likely to die from HIV

Category: HIV

HIV testing may benefit older individuals who are sexually active, as a new study has found that people over 50 are more likely to be diagnosed with late-stage disease and die sooner following diagnosis than younger adults, according to a new study from British researchers.

With the number of HIV cases continuing to rise, health experts have warned that sexually active adults should seek testing. However, these messages are often aimed at young people, who are generally a higher risk group.

However, the study, which was conducted by researchers from the UK Health Protection Agency Center for Infections, concludes that older individuals have much more to lose by not seeking an HIV test, as treatments are less likely to be successful for them, according to Reuters Health.

"What this means is that screening is particularly important in people over 50," Dr Anupam Jena of Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, told the news source. Dr Jena was not involved in the study. "The take home point from this paper is that it always makes sense to be screening younger people for HIV, but that maybe the balance should shift a little bit toward older people."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that all sexually active adults seek HIV testing.