The sooner HIV is treated, the less likely it is to be passed on
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The HIV rate in people aged 50 and over in the UK has more than doubled in the last seven years
According to the Health Protection Agency, in 2000 there were 299 cases of HIV in over-50s, while in 2000 the rate more than double at 710 cases.
In 2008 there were 7,832 new cases, 8 per cent of these were in the over-50s age bracket. Most worryingly, over half were diagnosed late. The sooner HIV is diagnosed and treated, the less likely it is to be passed on.
Other sexually transmitted infections have also doubled in the people aged over 50, and rates have been rising faster than in young people.
Experts say the figures prove the importance of safe sex. Ruth Smith who led the HPA research says, ‘We estimate that nearly half of older adults diagnosed between 2000 and 2007 were infected at age 50 or over. This highlights the importance of HIV testing - whatever your age. 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.’
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