The Aging of AIDS

This year the AIDS epidemic is officially 25 years old. Fortunately, HIV-positive patients can look forward to a much longer life than could those who contracted the virus in the early days. The development ot anti-retroviral drugs has transformed this disease from one that guaranteed death for most victims within a year or so into a chronic condition that can be controlled with medications. As the AIDS epidemic ages so to do those affected by it. A study conducted in New York last year found that 31% of those living with AIDS/HIV are over the age of 50.

This study brought to light some new problems that both patients and the health care system will have to deal with in the near future. Aging AIDS patients will not only have to deal with a chronic disease but will have to deal with the health problems associated with aging. How will the medications they need to take to keep the virus at bay react to other medications they need in the future?

This study also found that HIV-positive adults experience high levels of depression, about 13% greater than the general population. Positive HIV status is a stigma for most adding to the problem.