Like younger people, seniors will also be at risk for contracting Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). This virus damages the defense mechanisms, your body's defense against infection and disease, and causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). HIV is transferred from one individual to some other through the exchange of bodily fluids, including blood, semen, and vaginal fluid.

 

Contracting HIV

 

People can contract anonymous hiv testing at any age by having unprotected sex or sharing needles with someone infected. People who are typically at risk for contracting HIV/AIDS include:

 

Sexually active people who do not use latex or polyurethane condoms 

People who are unaware of partner's drug and sexual history, some people see it beneficial to ask the following questions:

Have you been tested for HIV/AIDS?

Have you had multiple sexual partners?

Have you shared needles (this can include drug users in addition to anyone who uses needles on a typical basis such as for instance individuals with diabetes)?

Those who have had a blood transfusion or operation in a developing country

Those who have had a blood transfusion in the U.S. between 1978 an 1985

 

Symptoms

When people first become contaminated with HIV, they cannot experience any symptoms. After a few weeks, people may exhibit flu-like symptoms. More severe symptoms may occur about a decade after contracting HIV. Those who have HIV complain of headache, cough, diarrhea, lack of appetite and weight loss, fevers and sweating, repeated yeast infections, skin rashes, pelvic and abdominal cramps, sores in the mouth or on your body, and short-term memory loss.

 

Getting Tested

 

When thinking about getting tested for HIV/AIDS, you ought to remember the following facts:

 

It will take 3-6 months for the virus to be detected in the blood

Your local healthcare provider or perhaps a local hospital or clinic may do an HIV/AIDS screening

Counseling is generally provided along with HIV/AIDS screenings

Tests are often private and could be performed without giving a name

You are able to test your blood in the home utilizing a test called the Home Access Express HIV-1 Test System which can be obtained at drug stores

Treatment

While there is no cure for HIV/AIDS, you can find medications that are used to treat symptoms and spread of the virus. Doctors commonly use a combination of drugs called HAART (highly active antiretroviral therapy), which may have greatly reduced how many deaths due to HIV/AIDS. People can prevent the likelihood of contracting HIV/AIDS by:

 

Making sure all sexual partners have already been tested and been shown without any HIV

Using condoms

Not sharing needles

Getting tested for HIV if you or your partner had a blood transfusion between 1978 and 1985 or received a surgical procedure in a developing country