HIV stands for the: Human Immunodeficiency Virus
	It is the virus that causes AIDS

WHAT IS AIDS?

	AIDS stands for: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
	It is a disease which causes the body's immune system to break down.
	Once the immune systems breaks down, people are very susceptible to infection or disease.
	About half of the people infected with HIV will get AIDS within 10 years. Older people with HIV will get AIDS one and a half to two years faster than younger people.
	There is no cure for AIDS yet, but there are new medical treatments that can postpone or treat many of the illnesses associated with AIDS.

How is HIV/AIDS spread?

	HIV/AIDS can only be spread by contaminated body fluids.
	The most common ways to become infected are: Having sexual intercourse (anal, vaginal or oral) with an infected person; Sharing drug needles or syringes with an infected person; Receiving contaminated blood products; Pregnant women can pass HIV to their babies.

You CANNOT get HIV from: Giving blood; A toilet seat; Being coughed on or sneezed on by someone who has AIDS; Casual contact; A mosquito.

How can I protect myself from HIV/AIDS?

	If you are not in a mutually faithful monogamous marriage or relationship, do not have sex with someone unless a condom is used.
	Older women are especially at risk since they can no longer get pregnant and they often do not see the need to use a condom.
	Do not share needles with other people.
	If you received blood products (transfusions) from 1978 - 1985 and you are concerned, you should consider getting tested for your own peace of mind.

How does HIV/AIDS affect people over 50?

	Ten percent of all AIDS cases in America are people over 50.
	More people over 65 have AIDS than children under 5.
	Older people will often have to take care of family members with AIDS.
	Two thirds of AIDS cases among older adults were contracted by homosexual/bisexual contact.
	Seventeen percent of older adult cases were caused by contaminated blood products (since 1985 the blood supply in the U.S. has been tested for HIV).
	Heterosexual transmission of HIV/AIDS is the fastest growing means of spreading the disease among people over 50.
	Older adults who are exposed to HIV are at a greater risk than younger people since their immune systems are already weakened by the natural aging process.
	Many diseases that are associated with AIDS look like diseases common to older adults. Sometimes older adults are not properly diagnosed as having AIDS.

This information has been adapted from the work of Benjamin Dobrin, MSW, University of South Florida, College of Public Health and is made possible through the efforts of the HIV and Older People Workgroup, the Centralina Area Agency on Aging, and a grant from the Regional HIV/AIDS consortium. For additional information or copies contact: Debi L. Lee, Ombudsman, Centralina AAA, PO Box 35008, Charlotte, NC 28235. 1-704-348-2714 or 1-800-508-5777.

Speaker's Bureau (If you would like to arrange for a presentation about HIV/Aids & Older People please contact, call Debi L. Lee 1-800-508-5777).

	Metrolina AIDS Project http://www.metrolinaaidsproject.org
	HIV and Older People Workgroup at Centralina Council of Governments http://www.centralina.org/aaa/aaahiv.htm
	Vanderbilt University Medical Center HIV/AIDS Outreach Project Page http://www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/adl/aids_project
	CDC Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention http://www.cdc.gov/nchstp/hiv_aids/dhap.htm
	HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report gopher://cdcnac.aspensys.com:72/11/4
	AIDS Education Global Information System (AEGIS) http://www.aegis.com
	HIV InSite http://hivinsite.ucsf.edu
	Healthcare Communications Group http://www.healthcg.com
	International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care http://www.iapac.org
	JAMA HIV/AIDS Information Center http://www.ama-assn.org/special/hiv/hivhome.htm
	AARP Webplace http://www.aarp.org
	HIVNET http://www.hivnet.ch
	National Institute on Aging AgePage http://www.nih.gov/nia/health/pubpub/aids.htm
	AIDS Virtual Library http://www.planetq.com/aidsvl/index.html
	New York State Office for the Aging http://www.aging.state.ny.us/news/letter/aids.htm
	The Body http://www.thebody.com/whatis/older.html
	National Association on HIV Over Fifty
	Chatting About AIDS and Aging http://www.uic.edu/sph/aids/index.htm