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General

• How is HIV different in older people?
• Does having HIV cause body shape changes or accelerated aging?
• In addition to HIV issues, should I expect the same concerns with aging as someone who is HIV negative?
• What's a normal CD4 count for adults over 40, regardless of HIV status?
• What efforts have been made to prevent HIV transmission among individuals over 50?
• In my small town, there is stigma associated with being older and having HIV. Where can I find help to build a support system?

Life Expectancy & Prognosis

• How long can someone who was diagnosed at age 60 expect to live?
• What can HIV-positive adults do to increase chances of living a long, healthy life?
• HIV positive at 50: Can I still live a long life?
• What can a healthy 65 year old who has just been diagnosed with HIV expect?
• Diagnosed at age 61 with low CD4 count: How long can I expect to live?
• My friend is 57 years old, living with HIV for 12 years. If he starts meds now, can he expect to live a normal lifespan?
• I am 61 and on Atripla (efavirenz/ tenofovir /FTC). My CD4 count is above 600 and my viral load is undetectable. What is my life expectancy?

Nutrition, Exercise and Supplements

• Should positive adults take vitamin supplements?
• Is synthetic testosterone as good as naturally produced testosterone?
• What can I do about fatigue and tiredness?
• Are there any dangers from swimming in the river for HIV-positive adults?

Treatment

• Should older folks start treatment earlier because of our age?
• Will newer drugs work as well in older people as younger?
• My 63-year-old wife was recently diagnosed. She has trouble moving and a lack of appetite. What can we do? How soon will the HIV meds work?
• Should I start meds because of weight loss? I am 46 years old, diagnosed seven years ago. I'm afraid of treatment side effects.
• Should HIV-positive adults over 40 start treatment earlier?
• What is causing my heart condition? I am 82 years old, positive since 1989. Are the HIV meds causing heart disease or is it simply old age?

Heart Disease & Stroke

• How should older folks deal with both HIV and heart disease?
• Will having HIV increase my risk for a stroke?
• Does having HIV or being older decrease the chances of recovering from a stroke?
• I've been positive for 25 years, but never started treatment. Will not taking meds affect my brain functions?
• I read about a link between Ziagen (abacavir) and increased risk of heart attacks. I've been positive for 11 years and noticed slight chest pains. Should I switch off this med?

Cognitive Function & Memory Loss

• Since I started treatment early, will I maintain a high CD4 count and undetectable viral load for a long time? Will my body one day stop producing HIV antibodies?
• What can I do about memory loss? How will it progress and what will happen to me?
• I have started to notice increased memory loss. Will this progress? What will happen to me?
• Does having HIV in your 60s cause dementia or memory loss?

Cancer

• Which types of cancers are HIV-positive adults over 40 more likely to develop?
• Does having HIV increase the risk of ovarian cancer?
• What are the biggest risk factors for cancer in HIV-positive adults? What can I do to lower my risk?
• What are the main risk factors for anal cancer in HIV-positive adults?

Other Health Issues

• What can positive adults do about depression?
• What can I do about hair loss? Since contracting HIV at age 50, I've had considerable hair loss. Do you know which HIV meds are less likely than others to cause baldness?
• Where is my sex drive? I am a positive 54-year-old male in a good relationship. I am in good shape and work out regularly. I used to love sex, but now have little interest. What can I do to get my mojo back?
• I am a "young" 72-year-old male who began meds 20 years ago. Now I'm experiencing body wasting and libido loss. Should I consider testosterone replacement therapy?
• Does having HIV make you sterile?
• I've been living with HIV since 1991. I've endured so much. Now I'm dealing with kidney disease, and I'll need dialysis and a kidney transplant to live. Should I even bother anymore?

For frequently asked questions on other HIV/AIDS topics, click here.