The possibility of becoming infected with an incurable disease never occurred to Jane Fowler. After her divorce, Jane had a sexual relationship with an old family friend. A blood test for an insurance policy alerted the 55-year-old journalist that she was infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

What Is HIV/AIDS?

The HIV virus weakens the body's immune system, leaving patients vulnerable to infections, cancers, and other diseases. People infected with HIV may not appear ill or suffer from any serious symptoms for years, and may, in fact, appear perfectly healthy. But people with HIV can pass the virus to others through sexual activity or sharing of needles. Casual contact, however, does not increase risk. The virus lives in bodily fluids, not on things, so activities such as sharing silverware, hugging, using a public toilet, or shaking hands do not increase your risk of contracting the virus.

Older Adults Less Knowledgeable of the Risks

In general, older adults remain less knowledgeable than teens and young adults about the virus, its risks, and the ways to prevent it. Jane is doing her part to educate older adults by taking to the road and sharing her story. She also founded an organization called HIV Wisdom for Older Women.

Prevention

Many successful prevention programs have been administered to people in retirement communities, at health fairs, as well as other places older adults gather. The programs use age-appropriate materials and adapt public outreach messages to address the needs of an older audience. They also recruit mature adults to pass along the message.

"We make the presentations fun," says John Gargotta, of Florida's Senior HIV Intervention Project. "Older volunteers and staff are what make our program work so well. They create a dialogue and atmosphere where people are comfortable asking questions."

There are several ways to reduce risk for contracting HIV, including:

• Keep condoms handy and always use a latex condom during sex with someone whose disease status you do not know. Think of it as having sex not just with this person you trust and think you know, but with everyone your partner has had sex with.
• Learn how to talk about sex and to negotiate protective barriers with potential partners.
• Do not share any kind of needles.

Get Tested

"If anybody has put him or herself at risk, get tested," Jane says. "I feel like I was blessed that I 'flunked' the insurance company blood test when I did and found out I was infected. Had I not, I might be dead of AIDS today." Early treatment improves the odds of living with the disease.

Talk to Your Doctor

Routine blood tests do not include an HIV test, and some doctors might not consider ordering an HIV test when older patients comes in for a visit. Do not wait for your doctor to introduce the subject. If you think you may be at risk, ask for an HIV test and discuss the risks with your doctor.