AIDS Spreads Rapidly among Elderly

The Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) has spread not only to the minors and housewives, but also to the elderly over 60 years old. A report said that a 79 year-old person was infected from a sexual engagement.

The National Medical Center (NMC) said that the 235 AIDS patients were confirmed until last month this year, increased by 43.3 percent (164 patients) from the same period of last year.

Since the first AIDS patients were reported in 1985, the patients have totaled 1,515.

Thus far this year, in particular, the over-60-year-old patients reached 21 (6 females), exceeding double the number (10 patients) of last year.

Among the elderly patients, the 13 patients, whose infection patterns were confirmed, were all infected from the sexual engagement. The oldest, 79 year-old male patient was infected by the sexual contact with women other than his wife.

Among the over-60-year-old female patients, 4 patients were infected from their husbands, but the rest two patients were not confirmed how they were infected.

Jung Young-Gwan yongari@donga.com