Hiv And The Older Adult Population Essay - 2040 Words

INTRODUCTION Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a serious condition in our society. If left untreated, HIV can progress to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) (CDC, 2016a). Once a person is infected with HIV, it can never be completely removed from the body, meaning they are infected for the remainder of their life (CDC, 2016a). HIV was initially thought to be a problem only in younger generations (Ellman, Sexton, Warshafsky, Sobieszczyk, Morrison, 2014). However, evidence has emerged suggesting that an epidemic may be brewing in the older adult population (Ellman et al., 2014; Karpiak Brennan-Ing, 2016; Robnett Chop, 2015). I decided to research this topic, because I personally had no idea that HIV was so prevalent in this age group. BACKGROUND Before we can explore the prevalence of HIV in the older adult population, we need to discuss the history of HIV and what it does. In the United States, HIV has been present since the mid 1970’s (CDC, 2016a). However, it is believed that the first human case of HIV occurred in the 1800’s (CDC, 2016a). During this time, hunters in Central Africa were killing chimpanzees and coming into contact with their blood (CDC, 2016a). Some chimpanzees in this region were infected with Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV) (CDC, 2016a). When the humans were infected with SIV, it is thought to have mutated into what we know as HIV (CDC, 2016a). ABOUT HIV HIV is a virus that attacks an infected individual’s immune system throughShow MoreRelatedThe Prevalence Of Hiv / Aids1532 Words   |  7 Pagesinfection/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) are living longer lives and changing the perception of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. There has been extensive research conducted on high risk groups for HIV/AIDS but little has been done to research and address the social aspect of aging and HIV/AIDS. 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