LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
Gay 'n Gray |
by John Siegfried |
Senior Sex Surprise Young gays and senior gays have little in common (or so it's thought). But one thing that gay men young and old share is a rising rate of HIV infections. HIV is increasing again in the under 30 crowd, at least in part because adolescents and young people see themselves as invincible and HIV drugs as the ultimate salvation. Too often they think that it can't happen to meand if it does, medicines will cure me. Well, surprise, surprise! HIV rates are also increasing in the over 50 crowd and, while seniors may have learned that they're not invincible, many feel, "I've gotten this farHIV can't happen to me. HIV is for young people." For most of the twenty years that HIV data has been accumulated, people over fifty have accounted for 10% of all new AIDS cases annually. But in 1997 that went to 11.6%, then 12.7% and in 1999 to 13.4% according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). There is no data available that documents the gay portion of the 13.4%. However, the dynamic is the same that drives the spread on both sides of the sexual fence. There's a general societal fiction that sexual activity stops somewhere about age sixty, but the data doesn't support the fiction. A 1999 AARP survey indicated that 1/3 of the men and 1/4 of the women surveyed aged 60-74 have sex at least one time each week. And, because of death, divorce, Viagra, or whatever, a significant portion of that total is with multiple sex partners. Most at-risk seniorsthose with multiple sex partners, those who have had a blood transfusion between 1979 and 1985, and those whose partner has a known behavioral riskdon't think they are hazarding infection, therefore they don't use condoms and don't get tested for HIV. Closeted seniors (and juniors) don't want to acknowledge their need for an HIV test and don't want a medical record that shows testing, negative or positive. Furthermore, many physicians don't see older patients as at-risk and don't think of testing their gray haired grandmas and grandpas. Compounding this is the fact that early HIV/AIDS symptoms and signs often are non-specific and can be written off as the aches and pains of aging. HIV related symptoms are misinterpreted by patient and physician alike as simply part of the aging process. The end result is a senior population at increased risk. So, what's a poor girl to do? The Washington Post Health Supplement of July 17, 2001 under a heading of "Never Too Old" stated, "There is no age exemption for safe sex practices. But the rising AIDS transmission rates show seniors are not getting the message." The Post's "Rules of Engagement for Seniors in the Age of AIDS" apply to old and young, gay and straight alike. Ignore startled or dismissive looks and ask a prospective partner of any age about his or her sexual and drug use history before you engage in sex. A few good questions: How many partners have you had in the past year? (Two or more is considered a risk factor.) Do you always use a condom? Have you been tested for HIV? If you don't like the answers, refrain. If you have sex, use a latex condom and water based lubricant. Get tested if you've had multiple partners, had a transfusion between 1979 and 1985, shared needles of any kind or have a partner with a known behavioral risk. Speak to your doctor about any sexual concerns. Without prompting, most doctors don't initiate discussions on sex with older patients. Let your doctor know that you want sexual health to be part of your care. Educate yourself about virus transmission. The National Institutes of Health, AARP, and the CDC all maintain web sites with current HIV/AIDS information, as does the National Association of HIV Over Fifty at www.hivoverfifty.org. John Siegfried, a retired association executive, resides in Rehoboth Beach and Ft. Lauderdale. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 11, No. 11, August 10, 2001 |