HIV Rate Soars In Portugal

Based upon recent data, Portugal has been found to have the highest rate of HIV infection in the European Union and part of the reason is a surge in the number of HIV-infected individuals in the over-50 demographic. Between 1999 and 2003, the number of Portuguese that were HIV positive and over 50 increased by 71% which contrasts sharply with the rest of the EU where the largest increases are in people under 30.

The reason? Viagra.

Yes, Viagra and other anti-impotence drugs are at the root of a dramatic increase in personal fluid-transfer recreation by the over-50 crowd causing the virus to spread widely and quickly. And, other factors are blamed for contributing to the situation. These include; a lack of safe sex campaigns aimed at the older generation who eschew condom use, a mistaken general belief that the primary behavioral risk is intravenous drug use, and a fuddy-duddy reluctance to discuss sex with and among older people. As a result, the older demographic is quite uninformed about the risks of unsafe sex. In response to the concerns, the Ministry of Health plans to develop an ad campaign to educate the over-50 crowd.

In summary, no longer does leisure-time enjoyment for the older crowd end with the final hand of pinochle or the last bingo card. Thanks to Viagra and similar drugs, grandmas and grandpas are staying up past their usual bedtimes and engaging in frisky, risky behavior.

Annotate your tour book of Portugal accordingly.