Sunday, April 18, 2021
  • About Us
  • ImagiNATION
  • Adverts
  • Rate Card
  • Contact Us
The Nation Online
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Life & Style
    • Every Woman
      • Soul
      • Family
    • Religion
    • Feature
  • Society
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Chichewa
  • Enation
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Life & Style
    • Every Woman
      • Soul
      • Family
    • Religion
    • Feature
  • Society
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Chichewa
  • Enation
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result
Home Society Lifting The Lid On Hiv And Aids

Ageing and HIV

by Muza Gondwe
13/08/2016
in Lifting The Lid On Hiv And Aids
2 min read
0
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on WhatsAppShare on LinkedinLinkedinShare via Email

 

Today, people living with HIV receiving treatment can expect a near normal lifespan—something 20 years ago sounded impossible! With the focus now on maximising longevity and quality of life, growing old and navigating all that the ageing process entails is now a reality for many HIV-positive people.

RelatedHeadlines

Coronavirus and HIV

Covid-19 and HIV

Are covid-19 vaccines safe for people living with HIV?

Ageing with HIV presents a number of unexpected challenges for the person living with the virus as well as those who provide care. Studies suggest people living with HIV as they age are susceptible to high rates of cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, frailty, and neurocognitive deficits. This phenomenon is often described as premature ageing or accelerated ageing.

Research is underway to understand this phenomenon of premature ageing in people with HIV—studies are looking at the effects of long-term antiretroviral therapy; effects of long-term HIV infection; physical effects of ageing and the interaction of the virus; and the effects of long-term behaviours.

Although anti-retrovirals are much less toxic today than previously, it is becoming evident that long-term antiretroviral treatment may increase the risk of a person developing certain health conditions. In addition, the virus itself is believed to also have an effect on certain health conditions associated with ageing. Certain behaviours like smoking, drinking and a lack of exercise also have an impact and people with HIV now living long enough, behaviour-related health conditions are more likely to develop.

In addition to the health issues experienced by the ageing population as a whole, women living with HIV face some specific challenges as they age. There is a growing body of evidence that suggests that women living with HIV have an earlier onset of menopause, an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, high blood cholesterol levels, diabetes and osteopenia and osteoporosis, and increased risk of non-Aids defining cancers.

There are also emotional, psychological and psychiatric challenges of ageing with HIV such as neurocognitive disorders, depression and anxiety, and family and parenting issues.

People living with HIV may potentially face physical and emotional health issues as they age. However, with the appropriate interventions, lifestyle choices and integrated support from health care professionals and community groups, the impact of these challenges can be effectively managed.—Adapted from http://www.avert.org/growing-older-and-ageing-hiv.htm

Avatar
Muza Gondwe
Previous Post

‘Women empowerment key to sustainable development’

Next Post

Umtheto: more than a cultural festival

Related Posts

Lifting The Lid On Hiv And Aids

Coronavirus and HIV

January 23, 2021
Lifting The Lid On Hiv And Aids

Covid-19 and HIV

January 9, 2021
Lifting The Lid On Hiv And Aids

Are covid-19 vaccines safe for people living with HIV?

December 26, 2020
Next Post
Chiefs annually hold Umgubho at the tomb of of Inkosi ya Makosi M’mbelwa I

Umtheto: more than a cultural festival

Opinions and Columns

People’s Tribunal

Cut the crap, act on abuse forthwith

April 17, 2021
Emily Mkamanga

No ransom for service delivery

April 17, 2021
Cut the Chaff

Tonse administration has bigger fish to fly

April 17, 2021
Off the Shelf

More fire on draining the swamp

April 17, 2021
https://www.mwnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/WFP-Afikepo-1-2.pdf https://www.mwnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/WFP-Afikepo-1-2.pdf https://www.mwnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/WFP-Afikepo-1-2.pdf

Trending Stories

  • Has over 25 cases to handle: Silungwe

    Chakwera, AG meet over MEC

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • MPs in funds abuse go free

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Heartless plunder

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • ACB out of MRA case

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Made See needs help—Namadingo

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Values
  • Our Philosophy
  • Editorial policy
  • Advertising Policy
  • Code of Conduct
  • Plagiarism disclaimer
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use

© 2021 Nation Publications Limited. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Life & Style
    • Every Woman
      • Soul
      • Family
    • Religion
    • Feature
  • Society
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Chichewa
  • Enation

© 2020 Nation Publications Limited. All Rights Reserved.

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.