World News

Compiled by Martin Flynn

‘Viagra generation catching HIV in Italy’

More evidence emerged last month of the so-called ‘greying of HIV’ with the news from Italy that adults older than 50 now make up 16 per cent of the country’s HIV positive population.

Comparing with HIV patients under 50 years of age, older adults had a higher risk of AIDS dementia, wasting and multiple AIDS defining diagnoses, the research found.

Only one quarter of older Italians with HIV were taking antiretrovirals, the study in the journal ‘AIDS Patient Care and STDs’ reported, which is significantly fewer than among younger patients.

“These findings stress the need to more seriously consider the possibility of HIV infection among older individuals and to collect more detailed information on their sexual behaviour,” the study authors wrote.

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