HIV, AIDS Patients Living Longer Due To Advances In Treatment
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Much has changed in the treatment of HIV and AIDS in the three decades since the epidemic began.
A diagnosis is no longer a death sentence.
That's creating a new challenge for the people on the front lines treating the disease.
With today's medications, people take fewer pills and have fewer side effects. While it can still be a struggle, people may find it easier to adhere to their prescriptions.
Now, having HIV is more of a chronic disease and people live well into their golden years.
Of the 1.2 million Americans living with HIV, one out of every four is 55 or older.
"Over half our patients are over age 50," Stuart Fisk, a nurse practitioner with The Positive Health Clinic, said.
As longevity with HIV increases, certain conditions seem to come along with that, and at an earlier age.
"More cardiovascular disease, bone thinning and osteoporosis, kidney problems, sometimes cognitive impairment," Fisk said. "We see liver disease and we see a lot of cancers."
This is related to medications, lifestyle habits such as smoking and widespread inflammation from the virus itself.
"People bring their own genetics and their own behaviors into their health care," Fisk said. "Medications for HIV can cause changes in cholesterol levels, can cause changes in bone density."
Allegheny County has about 3,000 people who are HIV-positive. About 700 get help from the Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force. The non-profit agency is expanding to help serve the growing number of people living and aging with HIV, who can face barriers to staying healthy.
"If we can have more services under one roof, we are defeating a lot of barriers at one time," Jason Herring said.
These days, the lifespan of HIV-positive patients is similar to the general population. But, people aging with HIV need a lot of support to stay healthy and engaged in their care.