CLINICALLY SIGNIFICANT HUMAN-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-VIRUS INFECTION IN THE ELDERLY

To identify specific problems with clinically apparent human immunodef iciency virus (HIV) disease in the elderly, we reviewed our experience at two Veterans Administration Medical Centers serving central and so uthwestern Florida. Twenty-nine ill, elderly, HIV-infected patients we re identified. In contrast to common perceptions, fewer than half had previous transfusion as a sole risk factor. Sexual or drug-associated risk behaviors accounted for most of the infections. In the elderly po pulation, the difficulty of determining whether dementia is caused by HIV infection is a particular problem. The relatively infrequent occur rence of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia and the rapidly fatal course i n this population are also noted.