Treatment for HIV has come a long way in recent years. Today, many children living with HIV thrive into adulthood. What You Should Know About HIV in Children
HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system. That makes children with HIV more vulnerable to infections and disease. The right treatment can help prevent illness and keep HIV from progressing.
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Read on as we discuss the causes of HIV in children and the unique challenges of treating HIV in children and adolescents.
Vertical transmission on What You Should Know About HIV in Children
A child can be born with HIV or contract it soon after birth. HIV contracted in utero is called perinatal transmission or vertical transmission.
HIV transmission to children can happen:
- during gestation (passing through the placenta)
- during delivery (through the transfer of blood or other fluids)
- while breastfeeding
Of course, not everyone with HIV will transmit it during pregnancy, especially if they’re following antiretroviral therapy.
Worldwide, the rate of transmitting HIV during pregnancy falls to below 5 per cent with intervention, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) Trusted Source. Without intervention, the rate of transmitting HIV during pregnancy is about 15 to 45 per cent. What You Should Know About HIV in Children
In the United States, vertical transmission is the most common way children under age 13 contract HIV.
Horizontal transmission on What You Should Know About HIV in Children
Secondary transmission, or horizontal transmission, involves contact with semen, vaginal fluid, or blood containing HIV.
Sexual transmission is the most common way teens contract HIV. Transmission can occur during vaginal, oral, or anal sex without a condom or other barrier method.
Adolescents may not always know they have HIV. Using a barrier method like a condom, especially when used correctly, can reduce the risk of contracting or transmitting a sexually transmitted infection (STI), including HIV.
HIV can also be transmitted through sharing needles, syringes, and similar items.
While extremely rareTrusted Source in the United States, it’s possible to contract HIV in healthcare settings through contact with blood containing the virus. What You Should Know About HIV in Children
HIV doesn’t spread through: What You Should Know About HIV in Children
- insect bites
- saliva
- sweat
- tears
- hugs
You can’t get it from sharing:
- towels or bedding
- drinking glasses or eating utensils
- toilet seats or swimming pools
An infant may not have any obvious symptoms at first. As the immune system weakens, you may start to notice:
- lack of energy
- delayed growth and development
- persistent fever, sweating
- frequent diarrhea
- enlarged lymph nodes
- repeated or prolonged infections that don’t respond well to treatment
- weight loss
- failure to thrive
Symptoms vary from child to child and with age. Children and teens may have: What You Should Know About HIV in Children
- skin rash
- oral thrush
- frequent vaginal yeast infections
- enlarged liver or spleen
- lung infections
- kidney problems
- memory and concentration problems
- benign or malignant tumors
Children with an untreated HIV infection are more vulnerable to conditions such as: What You Should Know About HIV in Children
- chickenpox
- shingles
- herpes
- hepatitis
- pelvic inflammatory disease
- pneumonia
- meningitis
HIV is diagnosed through blood testing, but it may take more than one test.
The diagnosis can be confirmed if the blood contains HIV antibodies. But early on in the course of infection, antibody levels may not be high enough for detection.
If the test is negative but HIV is suspected, the test can be repeated in 3 months and again at 6 months.
When someone tests positive for HIV, all sexual partners and people they may have shared needles or syringes with should be notified so they can also be tested and start treatment if needed.
In 2018, the CDC reportedTrusted Source new HIV cases in the United States by age as:
| Age | Number of cases |
| 0–13 | 99 |
| 13–14 | 25 |
| 15–19 | 1,711 |
HIV may not have a current cure, but it can be effectively treated and managed. Today, many children and adults with HIV live long, healthy lives.
The main treatment for children is the same as adults: antiretroviral therapy. Antiretroviral therapy and medications help prevent HIV progression and transmission.
Treatment for children requires a few special considerations. Age, growth, and stage of development all matter and have to be reassessed as the child progresses through puberty and into adulthood.
Other factors to take into account include:
- severity of the HIV infection
- the risk of progression
- previous and current HIV-related illnesses
- short- and long-term toxicities
- side effects
- drug interactions
A 2014 systematic review found that starting antiretroviral therapy soon after birth increases an infant’s life span, decreases serious illness, and decreases the chances of HIV progressing to AIDS.
Antiretroviral therapy involves a combination of at least three different antiretroviral drugs.
When choosing which drugs to use, healthcare providers consider the possibility of drug resistance, which will affect future treatment options. Medications may have to be adjusted from time to time.
One key element for successful antiretroviral therapy is adherence to the treatment regimen. According to the WHO, it takes adherence of more than 95 per centTrusted Source for sustained suppression of the virus.
Adherence means taking the medications exactly as prescribed. This may be difficult for children, especially if they have trouble swallowing pills or want to avoid unpleasant side effects. To remedy this, some medications are available in liquids or syrups to make it easier for young children to take. What You Should Know About HIV in Children
Parents and carers also need to work closely with healthcare providers. In some cases, family counselling may be beneficial for everyone involved.
Adolescents living with HIV may also need:
- mental health counseling and support groups
- reproductive health counseling, including contraception, healthy sex habits, and pregnancy
- testing for STIs
- substance use screening
- support for a smooth transition into adult healthcare
Research into paediatric HIV is ongoing. Treatment guidelines may be frequently updated.
Be sure to keep your child’s healthcare provider informed of new or changing symptoms, as well as medication side effects. Never hesitate to ask questions about your child’s health and treatment.
Although clinical trials are underway, there are currently no approved vaccines to prevent or treat HIV.
But because HIV can make it harder to fight infections, children and teens with HIV should be vaccinated against other diseases.
Live vaccines can trigger an immune response, so when available, people with HIV should get inactivated vaccines.
Your healthcare provider can advise you on the timing and other specifics of vaccines. These may include: What You Should Know About HIV in Children
- varicella (chickenpox, shingles)
- hepatitis B
- human papillomavirus (HPV)
- influenza
- measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR)
- meningococcal meningitis
- pneumonia
- polio
- tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap)
- hepatitis A
When travelling outside the country, other vaccines, such as those that protect against cholera or yellow fever, may be advisable, too. Talk to your child’s doctor well before international travel.
Growing up with HIV can present many challenges for children and parents, but adhering to antiretroviral therapy — and having a strong support system — can help children and adolescents live healthy, fulfilling lives.
There are many support services available for kids, their families, and carers. For more information, ask your child’s healthcare providers to refer you to groups in your area, or you can call your state’s HIV/AIDS hotline.
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