HIV Testing for Older Adults

Oct 26, 2022

Almost 25% of all new HIV diagnoses are in people ages 45 and older. Older HIV patients have the same risk factors as any age including the following:

• vaginal or anal sex without a condom or without Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PreP)
• sharing needles.

Age can make people more prone to HIV. For example, thinning vaginal walls make tears more likely and older people may also be less likely to use a condom since pregnancy is not a concern.

The federal Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that everyone 13 to 64 years old get tested for HIV at least once as part of their routine health care. It is also recommended that people at higher risk of HIV get tested more often. For more details, see the National Institute of Health’s HIV and Older People fact sheet.

Questions? Email Emily Bean or call her at 207-624-4005.

Source:  Diagnoses of HIV infection in the United States and dependent areas, 2019. HIV Surveillance Report 2021;32