HIV infection rate doubles in over-50s

The HIV infection rate in people aged over 50 has more than doubled over the last seven years, Health Protection Agency figures showed on Wednesday.

The infection rate in England, Wales and Northern Ireland soared from 299 new cases in 2000 to 710 in 2007.

Health experts said part of the rise can be attributed to late diagnosis, but a similar jump in other sexually transmitted diseases suggests more unsafe sex among over 50s.

"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," said Ruth Smith, who led the research for the HPA.

"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," she added.

Source http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gpFXTHrub6HMi4geMnTe1kRzscdw