THE number of HIV infections among the over-50s has more than doubled in seven years, it was revealed today.
The number of new cases recorded in England, Wales and Northern Ireland rose from 299 to 710 between 2000 and 2007, research has shown.
Half were diagnosed late, increasing the risk of an early death.
Among younger age groups, a third have the HIV infection identified at a similar level of progression.
During the study period, three-quarters of deaths among HIV-infected people, aged 50 and over, occurred within a year of diagnosis.
Compared with younger adults carrying the virus, older people were significantly more likely to have been infected through sex with men.
Older straight adults were more likely to acquire the virus in the UK.
