Pubdate: Thu, 29 Jun 2006
Source: Times, The  (Munster IN)
Copyright: 2006 The Munster Times
Contact:  http://www.nwitimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/832
Author: Jerry Davich
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?143 (Hepatitis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/women.htm (Women)
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TODAY IS NATIONAL HIV TESTING DAY

HIV/AIDS: Experts See Rising Trend Of Older Population With HIV-Positive Cases

HIV has been pulsing through our society for a quarter century, and 
it's not showing any signs of slowing down, experts say.

One surging new population of HIV-positive cases is people older than 
50, data show. "Persons of this age group generally do not know much 
about HIV because it was not a factor when they were growing up," 
said Paula French, co-director of Step-Up Inc., an Indianapolis 
agency catering to people older than 50 with HIV/AIDS.

"Now that they are past the childbearing years, they assume they are 
safe," she said.

"Also, most have been married or in long-term relationships and have 
not had to consider these issues in many years."

Tony Gillespie, director of Brothers Uplifting Brothers Inc. in 
Merrillville, which offers confidential HIV testing, said his staff 
also is noticing this as an increasing trend.

His agency used to provide specific HIV education and testing for 
people 50 and older until state and federal funding ran out, he said.

Tammy Morris, executive director of the Aliveness Project of 
Northwest Indiana, a Merrillville-based HIV/AIDS support group, said 
her program tries to pair newly diagnosed clients with some of their 
longtime survivors, to help show that HIV is a liveable disease.

Morris' agency has noticed the increase in senior outbreaks, due in 
part, she said, to seniors' longer life spans and a reluctance to 
talk about sex and protection.

"How are you going to educate a 65-year-old on how to use a condom?" she said.

Bob Pitman, chairman of the National Institute of Senior Centers, 
said many centers in south suburban Illinois communities also are 
beginning to address this trend as a newfound priority.

Typically, the rate of people older than 50 who get HIV hovers 
between 5 percent to 10 percent, data show. However, many 
HIV-positive clients are living longer due to new cutting-edge 
medications and treatments.

Today, National HIV Testing Day, is an annual campaign to encourage 
at-risk individuals to receive voluntary HIV testing and counseling, 
sponsored by several local agencies and the Indiana State Department of Health.

Historically, Lake County has had the second-highest rate of HIV/AIDS 
in Indiana.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that 
approximately one-third of all people who are infected with HIV are 
unaware of it, an estimated 250,000 people.

Indiana, which ranks 23 in the country in HIV or AIDS cases, has as 
many as 1,000 Hoosiers who fit this profile, according to the CDC.

French's Step-Up Inc. agency boasts a rare program, Indiana Seniors 
HIV/AIDS Prevention Education, or In-Shape, targeting people older 
than 50 with HIV.

"Due to divorce and widowhood, these individuals are dating again and 
are not familiar with the behaviors that put them at risk," she said.

Times Staff Writer Christine Kraly contributed to this
report

[Sidebars]

Are you positive you're negative? Do you know that an estimated 
250,000 Americans have HIV and don't even know it? Testing for HIV 
takes a few minutes and results are typically available in two weeks, 
although a few local sites have Rapid HIV Antibody testing available. 
Both confidential and anonymous tests are available. Information on 
testing sites around the state, including hours and types of tests, 
can be found by visiting www.hivtest.org.

For more information on local confidential HIV testing, contact 
Brothers Uplifting Brothers at (219) 985-2008, e-mail  or visit www.bubnwi.org, or The Aliveness Project 
of NWI at (800) 293-7312, or the South Suburban HIV/AIDS Regional 
Coalition at (708) 753-5835.

Factors Affecting The 50 And Older HIV-Positive Population

* Multiple partners: Since women generally live longer than men, 
there may be several women having sex with the same male partner over time.

* Comfort level: Because of the era in which these individuals grew 
up, they are often uncomfortable discussing sex and/or past partners 
with their new dates. Many have never negotiated safer sex measures 
or know how to use a condom, and so on.

* Viagra-type medications: With the availability of these 
medications, men are able to be sexually active throughout their later years.

* Needle sharing: Some older adults may think it is OK to share 
needles for injecting insulin or other prescription drugs as a 
cost-cutting measure. They also may not share information with their 
new partners about their past substance use/abuse that may have put 
them at risk for HIV and/or hepatitis.

* Medical issues: Symptoms for HIV disease often mirror symptoms of 
aging. The physician may stereotype her/his older patients and assume 
that they are not having sex or sharing needles and therefore does 
not offer an HIV test. Also, as women age they may experience vaginal 
dryness, thus making it more likely for tearing during intercourse.

* HIV counseling/testing: Older individuals are seldom tested for HIV.

Therefore, they may unknowingly put their partners at risk. They also 
may not be receiving treatment due to not being diagnosed.

Source: Step-Up Inc.

Illinois Governor Signs Bill Requiring HIV Tests For Newborns

Gov. Rod Blagojevich last week signed legislation that requires HIV 
testing for every newborn baby in the state when the status of the 
mother is unknown. Opponents argue testing newborns could divulge 
women's HIV status against their will. But some doctors contend 
immediate drug treatment for a newborn exposed to HIV may prevent the 
child from becoming infected.

New HIV Drug Approved

Last week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a new 
treatment drug for HIV called Prezista, the first new HIV drug 
approved this past year. The drug, known as darunavir, is a member of 
the protease inhibitor class, which works to block protease, a 
protein the virus needs to replicate itself. Since 1995, the FDA has 
approved 10 other such drugs.

HIV/AIDS Numbers Down In Illinois

Dr. Eric E. Whitaker, state public health director, announced the 
Illinois 2005 HIV/AIDS statistics. In 2005, the number of reported 
AIDS cases declined by 3 percent from 1,410 in 2004 to 1,366 in 2005. 
Illinois also saw a decrease of new infections in 2005 from the previous year.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman