How do children with HIV live? All About HIV in Children - Transmission Mechanisms, Symptoms and Treatment

The infection leads to progressive damage to the immune defenses and the frequent development of opportunistic infections and cancers. A combination of antiretroviral drugs is used for treatment.

General information about the development and pathophysiology of HIV infection in children is similar to those in adults, however, the mode of infection, the clinical picture and the characteristics of treatment often differ.

The infection in a child affects the entire family. In such cases, serological testing of siblings and parents is recommended. The doctor must provide the relatives of the sick child with all the necessary information and constantly consult them. The infected child must be taught the rules of hygiene and behavior in order to reduce the risk of transmission of the disease to others. When and how much a child talks about his illness depends on his age and maturity. Older children and adolescents should be aware of their diagnosis and the possibility of sexual transmission; they should receive all the necessary advice. The family may be reluctant to go to other people to diagnose the disease, as this can lead to social isolation. Feelings of guilt are common. Family members, including children, may develop depression and need professional advice. Since HIV infection is not transmitted through normal contact common among children (for example, through saliva or tears), most HIV-infected children can go to school without restrictions. There is also no reason to limit the placement of such children in foster families, foster care or care for HIV-infected children. The presence of conditions that constitute an increased danger to others (for example, if the child bites aggressively or has open wounds with exudate that cannot be isolated), may require special precautions.

Epidemiology of HIV infection and AIDS in children

More than 90% of babies acquired the infection from their mother either before or during birth (vertical transmission). The majority of the remaining children (including those with hemophilia or other blood clotting disorders) acquired the disease through blood transfusions. Several cases are the result of sexual assault. For less than 5% of cases, the source of the disease has not been established. Vertical transmission is now common in almost all new HIV infections among adolescents. Among adolescents, the contingent of HIV-infected is represented by surviving children who have acquired the disease as a result of vertical transmission, and persons with a recently acquired infection (usually through sexual intercourse, especially homosexual contacts between boys and men).

HIV infection was detected in about 2 million children; more than 370 thousand children become infected every year (14% of all new infections).

Disease transmission

The risk is greatest for children born to mothers who have seroconverted during pregnancy and women with advanced disease, low CD4 + T-cell counts, and prolonged rupture of the membranes. In a vaginal birth of two twins, the first-born is at greater risk than the second-born, although this link may not be valid in developing countries.

Caesarean delivery before active labor begins reduces the risk of MTCT. However, it is clear that VUR is most significantly reduced with antiretroviral therapy (including zidovudine)