Summary

In this study session, you have learned that:

• There are differences between HIV infection in adults and children. The main differences are the mode of transmission of HIV, disease progression, diagnosis of HIV infection, especially among children less than 18 months of age, and that CD4 counts are higher in children compared with adults.
• ARV drugs are handled differently in children’s bodies, affecting the doses that are needed. Dosages in children need to be adjusted to the child’s weight as the child grows.
• Communication, adherence and disclosure in children are challenging.
• Infants and children born to HIV-positive parents should be tested for HIV as early as possible. If not, they may die of common childhood illnesses and opportunistic infections in a shorter time. You need to refer such infants/children to a nearby health facility/hospital for early infant diagnosis.
• HIV-infected children need special psychosocial and nutritional support.