Aging and HIV/AIDS (Review)

Jul 10, 2025
6 min read

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AGING AND HIV / AIDS

In 2016, People aged 50 and older accounted for 17% of the 39,782 new HIV Diagnosis in the US.

Among people 50 and older African Americans accounted for 42% of all new diagnosis in 2016, Whites accounted for 37%, Hispanics accounted for 18%.

Among people 50 and older, 49% of the new HIV cases in 2016 were among gay and bisexual men, 15% were among heterosexual men and 12% were among people who inject drugs.

In 2015; 454,684 Americans diagnosed with HIV were aged 50 and older :

171,172 – aged 50-54
131,430 – aged55-59
81,438 – aged 60-64
70,644 - aged 65 and older
In 2015, 2, 749 people aged 55 and older died
from HIV diseases

In Review

HIV – Human Immunodeficiency Virus, is a virus that kills cells in the immune system. (The immune system fights diseases)
AIDS is the most advanced stage of HIV infection.
Many people do not get symptoms when they are 1st infected. It can take as little as a few weeks for minor flu-like symptoms to show up or as long as 10 years for more serious symptoms of the disease to manifest.
People aged 50 and older may not recognize HIV symptoms in themselves because they think what they are feeling and experiencing is a normal part of aging.

Symptoms

HIV affects each person differently; some people may not have any symptoms at first, while others may feel like they have the flu a few weeks after becoming infected;

COUGH, DIARRHEA, FEVER, HEADACHE, SWEAT are just a few symptoms they may experience.

It can take up to 10 years for other symptoms of the disease to show up such as;

WEIGHT LOSS,
SWOLLEN GLANDS,
LITTLE ENERGY,
LOSS OF APPETITE,
SKIN RASHES,
SORES IN THE MOUTH,
GENITAL AREA,
REPEATED YEAST INFECTION,
CRAMPS,
SHORT TERM MEMORY LOSS

WHO IS AT RISK?

ANYONE can get HIV and AIDS, regardless of age

– If the person was sexually active and didn’t use a latex male condom, HIV can be transmitted from having sex with an infected person.

– If an HIV infected person injects drugs and shares needles or syringes with others, HIV can be transmitted from the needle source.

– If the person had blood transfusion between 1978-1985 before the blood supply was tested for HIV, HIV could be transmitted from a blood transfusion

– HIV can be transmitted during vaginal delivery of a baby, if the mother is HIV positive

HIV MYTHS

Remember, these important facts about HIV transmission.

A person :

– Cannot get HIV from hugging or shaking hands with a person with HIV/AIDS

– Cannot get HIV from using the telephone, swimming pool, restroom of a person with HIV/AIDS

– Cannot get HIV from sharing a drink or being coughed on or sneezed on by a person with HIV/AIDS

– Cannot get HIV from donating blood

– Cannot get HIV from a mosquito bite

Challenges of HIV and the Older Person

Older people in the United States are more likely than younger people to have late-stage HIV infection at the time they are diagnosed.

REASONS

1. The Doctor or HealthCare Provider may not always test older people for the HIV infection

2. Older people may not consider themselves at risk for the HIV infection

3. Older people may mistake HIV symptoms for normal aging

4. Some older people may be embarrassed or afraid to be tested for HIV

Among people aged 55 and older who received an HIV diagnosis in 2015, 50% had HIV for 4.5 years before the diagnosis.

DC officials noted that :

Nearly 40% of the people living with HIV are over 50 years of age

One in nearly 5 newly diagnosed cases in DC is a person 50 or older

Older people are often diagnosed later and sicker than others because they don’t believe that they are at risk

Risk for the Elderly

The older person is oftenly less aware of how HIV spreads.r (lack of HIV education)

The older person is less likely to have protected sex. (no fear of pregnancy)

When they date, they often don’t think of contracting HIV, so it may seem unimportant to use a condom. (No fear of pregnancy)

A dryer vagina causes tears in the vaginal area and can increase the risk of HIV (if their partner is HIV+) during sex.

Many widowed and divorced people are dating again – they are less aware of their risk for HIV believing HIV is not an issue for their peer group.

Medications such as VIAGRA help to facilitate sex for older men who would not be capable of sex.

Doctors are less likely to ask their older patients about their sex life.

STIGMA

Stigma can be defined as: Shame, Dishonor or Disgrace

Stigma is a particular concern among older people because they already face isolation and loss of family and friends related to the aging process.

From the beginning of the epidemic in 1981, AIDS had stigma associated with the disease.

Stigma :

• Although the knowledge of HIV transmission has increased, more than 20 years later, stigma persists.

• Older HIV positive people feel shame and blame.

• Many older people who have HIV/AIDS are afraid to tell their family about their illness. They are less likely to join support groups. As the infection progresses, they will need help getting around and caring for themselves but are afraid to disclose that they have the disease.

• They are more likely to suffer from severe depression because of the aging process and a feeling of isolation from the disease.

Health Challenges

People with HIV are at greater risk of developing age related health conditions such as:

• Heart disease

• Liver disease

• Lung disease (people with HIV are up to 1/3 more likely to smoke tobacco which can cause heart attacks, strokes, lung cancer)

• Bone density loss

• Changes in memory and thinking

• Depression

• Diabetes (due to the virus of the side effect of the medication)

• Cancer – HIV has long been known to increase the risk of certain AID-related cancers which include anal, liver, lung and Hodgkin's disease.

• Anemia – close to 1/3 of all women living with HIV experience mild anemia.

Nutritional Challenges

For people with HIV/AIDS, Good nutrition must be a part of life.

Benefits of healthy eating include:

▪ Boost the immune system

• Increases energy

▪ Builds and Maintains muscle

▪ Helps achieve and maintain a healthy weight

▪ Makes medications more effective

▪ Reduces the risk of other chronic diseases, such as DM, heart disease and cancer

However, the patient with HIV may experience eating challenges that impact their overall health:

• Diarrhea – Causes weakness, dehydration and weight loss

Caregivers must:

Encourage the patient to drink as many liquids as possible such as; coconut water, seltzer water, Gatorade, herbal teas)

Try the B.R.A.T. DIET (Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast)

Encourage chicken broth or beef broth

Eliminate greasy foods

Encourage cream of rice cereal

ELIMINATE: MILK, ICE CREAM, CHEESE, FRIED FOODS, RAW VEGETABLES, SPICY FOOD

• Taste Changes – The patient will often say “the food just not taste the same”

Caregivers must encourage the patient to:

Brush teeth and tongue before meals
Rinse the mouth with a small amount of baking soda mixed in a warm glass of water (DO NOT swallow)
Drink tart juices such as cranberry, orange juice before eating

Managing Nausea

The patient may experience nausea because of HIV medications or effects of the disease.

Caregivers must encourage the patient to:

Eat dry, salty foods such as pretzels or salted crackers
Eat six small meals or snacks a day instead of three large ones
Drink ginger ale or ginger tea
Eat foods cold or at room temperature and to sit up for a short period of time after eating

NO TO:

FRIED OR GREASY FOODS , SUCH AS:

CHIPS,
Buttered popcorn,
Cheese curls,
French fries,
Fried meats,

NO TO:

Citrus fruits and juices,
Coffee,
Milk, or beverage made with milk

Additional Nutritional Challenges

The patient has Difficulty swallowing because of sores or thrush/yeast in the mouth.

The patient should follow:

– Choose soft foods to eat

– Use a straw to drink fluids

– Drink soup from a cup or glass rather than a bowl

– Drink smoothies

NO TO:

Sticky or chewy foods,
Dry foods,
Spicy foods,
Tough foods

Things to Consider with Aging and HIV patient’s nutrition

Encourage proteins at every meal to maintain muscle mass. It minimizes the wasting effect of the disease.
Proteins include; beef, pork, turkey, chicken, fish, eggs, vegetables
Monitor the patient’s weight
Encourage fluids
Encourage foods with Calcium and Vit D
Encourage anti-inflammatory omega 3 fats such as salmon

Exercise – is the WAY TO GO

• Improves the immune functions

• Decreases body fat

• Lowers blood pressure

• Improves body image

• Improves self esteem

• Increase bone strength

• Improves glucose metabolism

• Promotes bowel movements

Exercise

AEROBIC - walking, cycling, jogging, jumping rope, dancing, stair climbing

ANAEROBIC – yoga, resistance training with bands or weights

Stretching – Helps with flexibility

Medication reminders

Remind your patient to take their medications at the same time daily.

(NOT on an empty stomach)

The patient has the RIGHT to refuse AND you have a LEGAL obligation to notify your Supervising Registered Nurse (RN)

Source:

PSHC