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I remember asking a 75 year old whether she was sexually active and she responded,

“I’m not dead”.

I told her that in no way was I implying that she was not supposed to have sex. I then reminded her that although she does not have to worry about becoming pregnant, she still was at risk of contracting all of the sexually transmitted diseases younger women could contract.

“Age is not a condom.”

Regardless of what age you are having sex, you must remember to practice safe sex. What typically happens is once a woman reaches menopause and cannot have children, they believe that there is no need to use any type of birth control. Condoms have a dual role – they prevent pregnancy and help decrease the risk of sexually transmitted infections.

September 18 is National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day. In 2016, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported the following:

• Persons age 50 and older accounted for approximately 47 % of persons living with HIV.
• 1 in 6 of those newly diagnosed with HIV are people aged 50 and older.
• 1 in 4 adults in the US who are living with HIV infection are age 50 and older.
• Older Americans are more likely than younger Americans to have a late-staged HIV diagnosis.

According to AIDS Institute, health care providers do not always test older people for HIV/AIDS and miss the diagnosis during routine checkups. Health care providers may not ask older patients about their sex lives or drug use or talk them about risky behaviors. You do not have to wait for a health care provider to offer testing to you or a loved one. You can ask for testing.

HIV does not know an age.  To find an HIV testing site near you visit –  gettested.cdc.gov or you can call 1-800-CDC-INFO (1 -800-232-4636).