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About Boomer Box

Seniors now experience new infections on par with 20 to 24-year-olds. The public’s perception of medical advancements made in the 1960s, when several baby boomer generations came of age, may be one of several factors causing the rise in STD rates. The popularity of oral contraceptives as a popular birth control method was growing, and developments in modern medicine made STDs seem treatable rather than fatal. However, oral contraceptives do not protect against STDs.

The current generations of seniors, who may find themselves unanticipated back on the dating scene, have missed the most recent public education campaigns about the significance of blocking contraceptives, such as condoms. People over 60 use condoms at the lowest rate of any group of citizens.

Included: Today’s elders, who may find themselves unexpectantly, back on the dating scene, have missed the most recent public education campaigns about the significance of blocking contraceptives, such as condoms. People over 60 use the fewest condoms overall.

Hepatitis C:
Infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) is common in the elderly, with 40% prevalence in the “Baby Boomers” (born from 1945-1965). Three million Americans are thought to have hepatitis C. The condition frequently progresses to liver cancer and cirrhosis.

Most people with recent Hepatitis C infections don’t exhibit any symptoms. Some people’s skin can turn yellow (jaundice). Symptomless chronic infections are common. But other issues like fatigue and depression can happen.

Long-term (chronic) infection patients frequently don’t exhibit any signs until their liver has become scarred (cirrhosis). The majorities of those who have this situation are ill and have numerous health issues. Hepatitis C infection symptoms include right upper abdominal pain, fluid-filled abdominal swelling (ascites), clay-colored or light-colored stools, blood in the urine, fatigue, fever, itching, and jaundice, as well as loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting.

HIV and Older Adults:
About 47% of Americans with HIV diagnoses, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Preventative measures (CDC), were 50 years of age or older. Although older adults are less likely to get a test for HIV, many HIV risk factors are the same for adults of all ages. Every person with HIV is advised to receive treatment with antiretroviral therapy, or ART.

The number of older adults living with HIV is increasing for the following reasons:

Many people who received an HIV diagnosis when they were younger are aging. These people are living longer, healthier lives thanks to ART that they receive continuously.

Each year, thousands of elderly people receive new HIV diagnoses.

Adults of any age share several HIV risk factors. However, older adults might not be aware of their HIV risk factors, similar to many younger people. HIV is primarily spread in the US through anal or vaginal sex without the use of a condom, HIV prevention or treatment drugs, or sharing of injection equipment, such as needles, with an HIV-positive person.

Older adults may be at risk for HIV infection due to certain age-related factors. For instance, aging-related vaginal thinning and dryness may increase older women’s risk of HIV infection. Additionally, women who aren’t worried about getting pregnant might be less likely to use a condom when having sex.

Everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 should get tested for HIV at least once as part of routine medical care, and those who are more likely to contract the disease should get tested more frequently. If you are over 64 and at risk for HIV infection, your doctor may advise HIV testing.

Diseases Spread Through Sexual Contact (STDs – Chlamydia and Gonorrhea)

The number of Americans aged 45 and older who are infected with STDs continues to rise, part of a larger national trend that the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say needs to be addressed. These diseases are on the rise by about 20%, continuing a pattern of annual increases that began at least in 2012. The rates of infection are highest among those aged 15 to 24, but older Americans experienced a greater increase than the general population.

According to the CDC:

Chlamydia cases among people 45 and older were reported in 43,409 cases in 2016, up from 26,405 cases in 2012 and 38,185 cases in 2015.

In the same age group, there were 33,879 reported cases of gonorrhea in 2016, up from 26,005 in 2015 and 16,257 in 2012.