Child AIDS

AIDS is a infectious disease that lowers the body's defenses and favors the development of infections, some types of cancer and the degeneration of the nervous system.

The infection is caused by HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) and the development of symptoms of the disease by this virus is called. It is possible to be infected with HIV (the virus) and not have AIDS (the disease), some people are for years before they get sick.

Causes of infection in children

HIV is transmitted and spread in children by three way main:

• During the pregnancy.
• During childbirth (It is the most frequent situation).
• Through the breastmilk (This is very rare because HIV-positive mothers are discouraged from breastfeeding.)

It can avoid contagion Yes it is about to the mother correctly during pregnancy and delivery and if the mother does not give breast milk. In the teenagers the contagion can be by sexual intercourse without a condom or injecting drug use when share the syringe.

Symptoms and diagnosis

At birth, the child has no symptoms.

The diagnosis It should be done by: viral culture, PCR of the virus or detection of the p24 antigen.

Over time, weight gain and growth is impaired, the lymph nodes, spleen, and liver become enlarged (hepatosplenomegaly).

If the child has been infected with HIV, he or she can develop infections opportunistic (infections that only affect children with low defenses or that have a more severe course than in healthy children):

• Pneumonia due to Pneumocystis carinii.
• Meningitis.
• Yeast infections: candidiasis, including esophageal.
• Viral infections: cytomegalovirus, varicella-zoster virus.
• Parasites

Treatment

Currently existing medicines can slow the progression of the disease and improve the quality of life of the child, turning this condition into a chronic disease. There is no effective vaccination.

Treatment consists of the administration of a combination of several antiviral drugs.

They are children who should be.

Pediatric Specialist