Abstract
Many Americans mistakenly believe that older adults are not at risk for HIV/AIDS. Older people do not perceive themselves to be at risk for HIV infection, either. In reality, approximately 10% of AIDS cases are among people older than 50. Many health care providers lack an awareness of the risk of HIV/AIDS in the elderly population, and as a result, many older people with these conditions are misdiagnosed with other ailments. Major manifestations of HIV/AIDS in elderly adults include Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, herpes zoster, tuberculosis, cytomegalovirus, oral thrush, Mycobacterium avium complex, and HIV dementia. Elderly HIV-positive women have special health concerns, such as cervical cancer. Nurses and nurse practitioners can heighten their colleagues' awareness of the existence of HIV/AIDS in the elderly population and educate their older patients on HIV/AIDS. Furthermore, information about sexuality and sexual practices of older adults should be incorporated into all health science curricula. Additional research is needed to determine the extent of the problem and how health care providers can best serve their older patients' needs.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
