The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus responsible for causing AIDS. The virus destroys or damages cells of the immune system and gradually destroys the body’s ability to fight infections and certain cancers. Adults are usually affected, but many children, especially in poorer countries, are HIV positive. Growth problems, developmental problems and neurological disorders occur in children, although the presentation is highly variable. Thanks to early access to care and advances in HIV drug treatment, fewer and fewer people are living with HIV infection. Nevertheless, caring for a child who is HIV positive presents many challenges.

• HIV and AIDS

• Destruction of immune system T cells
• Problems fighting infections

• Epidemiology of HIV infection in children
• Causes and transmission of HIV virus

• Blood transfusions
• Needles and syringes
• Sexual contact
• Vertical transfer

• Risk factors
• Symptoms
• Treatment of HIV in children
• Growing up with HIV
• Prognosis
• Complications
• Prevention

 

HIV and AIDS

Destruction of immune system T cells

HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. AIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. HIV is actually the virus that causes the disease AIDS. Patients who are HIV positive have the human immunodeficiency virus in their blood. HIV destroys part of the immune system, especially the T lymphocyte (type of white blood cell) or the T cell. T cells are a type of fighter cells in the blood that help the body fight all kinds of germs and diseases. After HIV enters the body, it settles on a T cell and works its way inside that cell. Once inside, the virus completely takes over the T cell and then uses it as a virus factory to make many copies of itself. The newly created viruses then leave the T cell and continue to infect and destroy other healthy T cells as they continue to multiply in the body.

Problems fighting infections

T cells affected by the virus can no longer fight infections properly. It often takes years for the virus to damage enough T cells for the patient to become ill and develop AIDS. Although the HIV-positive person feels fine, the virus reproduces itself and destroys T cells. Thanks to medication, an infected HIV patient remains relatively healthy and symptom-free for years. These drugs are very expensive and not available to everyone in the world. When the patient’s immune system is weakened and more T cells are destroyed by the virus, the patient is no longer able to fight infections. He then becomes very ill, and has a very low T-cell count or signs of a serious infection.

Epidemiology of HIV infection in children

The number of children infected with HIV each year is decreasing. In 2017, 3 million children aged 19 and under were living with the virus worldwide, but only about one-third of them received treatment. Most children with HIV and AIDS are in sub-Saharan Africa. It is the leading cause of death among young teenagers in these areas.

Causes and transmission of HIV virus

Blood transfusions

Blood transfusions with HIV-positive blood or injections with unsterilized needles may infect children in poorer countries.

Needles and syringes

In Central and Eastern Europe, the spread of HIV occurs through injected drug use among young people living on the streets (by sharing needles and syringes).

Sexual contact

Infection with the HIV virus also occurs through sexual abuse or rape. In some countries, child marriage is culturally accepted and a young girl contracts HIV from her older husband and passes it on to her baby. The younger a child is when she first has sex, the more likely she is to get HIV.

Vertical transfer

Most children with HIV acquired the virus from their mother when she was pregnant, during the birth process or while breastfeeding.

Risk factors

Children in AIDS-affected communities who have lost parents and relatives are also more vulnerable to HIV infections. They may not have health care providers, access to school, or be unable to advocate for their rights.

Symptoms

Not all children with HIV have symptoms. Children who do experience signs of HIV do not have exactly the same symptoms. The symptoms also vary by age.Some of the most common complaints are:

• Growth problems: Children do not gain weight or grow as doctors expect.
• problems with the brain or nervous system such as seizures, difficulty walking or poor school performance
• Problems setting milestones: Not having the skills or being able to do the things doctors expect a child to do at that age.
• are often ill due to childhood illnesses, such as an ear infection, a cold, stomach complaints or diarrhea

 

Treatment of HIV in children

Children receive much the same treatment as adults: a combination of medications called ART (antiretroviral therapy). However, treating children is a challenge for doctors, because some HIV inhibitors do not exist in liquid form that babies and small children can swallow. Some medications also cause serious side effects for children. Older children who have no symptoms take ART so they stay healthy. Once HIV treatment has started, the HIV-positive child should be monitored regularly by the doctor to ensure that the medications are working properly and are not causing serious side effects. If a significant problem arises during therapy, such as symptoms of infection, a switch in therapy may be necessary.

Growing up with HIV

Adults should talk to children about the disease and children should realize that it is not their fault that they are sick and have to take medicine every day. Social, financial and emotional support for the entire family is important, especially in communities without many resources. Children with HIV and AIDS can go to school safely, but children with this disease sometimes face bullying and discrimination unless other students and teachers understand how HIV spreads. Awareness campaigns and education programs help break the stigma surrounding HIV so that children can have school friends and grow up normally.

Prognosis

HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, damages the immune system, so the immune system can’t fight infections and some cancers well. With the right combination of medications and loving support, children with HIV can grow up to live long, active lives.

Complications

Just like adults, children with HIV infection experience infections at a later stage of the disease that can be fatal because the immune system does not work properly. These opportunistic infections include:

• cytomegalovirus (CMV)
• lymphocytic interstitial pneumonitis (a type of scarring in the lungs)
• oral thrush or severe diaper rash due to a yeast infection
• pneumocystis pneumonia, a fungal infection of the lungs

Without treatment, one third of HIV-positive preschoolers worldwide do not reach their first birthday and half of children die without treatment before they are two years old.Proper treatment of pregnant women is necessary / Source: PublicDomainPictures, Pixabay

Prevention

Women who tested positive during pregnancy and are treated while pregnant are less likely to pass the virus on to their babies. This is the best way to prevent HIV in children.

read more

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• Complications of AIDS/HIV: Infections, diseases and cancer