HIV infection rate on the rise among older Chinese

The number of HIV positive people over 50 or even 60 years old is on the increase in China, with fast growth rate in recent years, Hao Yang, deputy director of the disease prevention and control bureau from the Ministry of Health said.

In 2000, of all those who were reported HIV positive, only 0.3% were people over 65 years old. This year, however, they account for 3.4%, with men as the majority, Hao said.

Hao Yang told a real story about a 65-year-old man who was diagnosed HIV positive because of high risk sexual behavior. When asked why he didn't use condoms, the old man said: "I know pretty well about AIDS prevention. But I'm already 65 year-old, since the AIDS incubation period is eight to ten years, I'll be satisfied if I can live to 75."

"As for sexual transmission, we should not only focus those sexually active people from 20 to 49 years old, but also those old people over 50 or even 60 years old," Hao said. "After all, with the increase of living standards, people's nutrition status and physical fitness has been improved."

By People's Daily Online reporter Wang Xiaoli