HIV rate rises among UK over-50s

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HIV rate rises among over-50s

....The over-50s infection rate in England, Wales and Northern Ireland more than

doubled in under a decade - from 299 new cases in 2000 to 710 in 2007.

In 2008 there were 7,382 new diagnoses - 8% of these were in the over-50s, says

the Health Protection Agency.

Experts say the figures are a stark reminder of the importance of practising

safe sex, whatever your age.

Other sexually transmitted infections have shown a similar doubling in under a

decade among the same age group, and have been rising at a faster rate than in

the young.

Promiscuity

Ruth , who led the HPA research, said: " We estimate that nearly half of

older adults diagnosed between 2000 and 2007 were infected at age 50 or over.

This highlights the importance of HIV testing - whatever your age.

" We must continually reinforce the safe sex message - using a condom with all

new or casual partners is the surest way to ensure people do not become infected

with a serious sexually transmitted infection such as HIV. "

Worryingly, say the researchers, half were diagnosed late. The sooner HIV is

diagnosed and treated the less likely it will be passed on and the better the

treatment options become.

Dr Delpech, head of HIV surveillance at the HPA, said: " HIV remains a

serious infection particularly when diagnosed late. The fact that we've seen an

increase in the number of older adults getting diagnosed, and in particular

getting diagnosed late, highlights the need for raised awareness in that age

group. "

Power, of the HIV charity the Terrence Higgins Trust, said their own

research had found the over-50s were now the fastest growing group of people

with HIV in the UK...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-10701792