HIV more than doubles in the over 50s

In recent years, the over 50s age group has seen a doubling of the incidence of HIV. According to the Health Protection Agency, (HPA) there were 7,382 new cases in 2008 of which 8 per cent occurred in older people. These figures demonstrate the need to practise safe sex at any age and with a similar doubling of other sexually transmitted diseases in the over 50s this becomes even more imperative.

HPA research leader Ruth Smith said: "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."

The often late diagnosis for many sufferers is also a problem as it is essential that HIV is diagnosed as early as possible so as to obtain the best possible treatment and to avoid passing it on.

Lisa Power who works for the Terrence Higgins trust said that people are now living longer with the condition due to advances in treatment. It is even more essential that older people with the condition are helped and supported. This is borne out by the ongoing experience of one sufferer Julian Howes who was diagnosed with HIV back in 1990 while in his thirties. At the time he didn't think he had long to live so he left his job as British Telecoms manager and went travelling.

Mr Howes said: "I came back. Lo and behold, I wasn't dead. But I was sick, and had a very weakened immune system. Still alive, but still very aware that I had a disease which could well kill me before long." Although his condition deteriorated at the time, it did improve with treatment. Now at 54 he says that he has residual health problems, but the biggest worry is how he will fund his future, having used up his pension because he thought he was going to die.

Mr Howes says that people of his age group all have problems which need desperately to be addressed. Hopefully some ideas for this will come out of the AIDS 2010 conference in Vienna when the subject will be introduced.

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