PERFIL DOS IDOSOS INFECTADOS PELO HIV/AIDS: UMA REVISÃO

Abstract

The epidemic of infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a global, dynamic and unstable phenomenon. Its occurrence pattern in the different areas of the world depends on the individual and collective human behavior, among other decisive factors. The populational segments highly affected in the beginning of the epidemic suffered important decline over the time. On the other hand, from 1996 to 2006 there was an increase of the incidence rate among individuals with more than 60 years old. In this study, a bibliographical revision was conducted, with the purpose of describing the profile of elderly infected by HIV. The results demonstrated that HIV infection is frequently diagnosed in the elderly adult only after an extensive investigation and exclusion of other diseases, which delays its diagnosis and treatment. One of the challenges on the prevention of HIV infection and AIDS among the elderly adults is the erroneous belief that they are not at risk of contracting HIV. The lack of conscience in health professionals is also a barrier that prevents the elderly education on the risks of the disease. It would be important to effectively accomplish prevention campaigns and health professionals’ trainings. Thus it would be possible to have a greater number of elderly people getting some orientation on the subject, thus reducing the crescent disease spread in this age group.