Human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) infection in children

[Julian]

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is a viral infection that progressively destroys certain white blood cells and causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is caused by the viruses HIV-1 and HIV-2 and, in young children, is typically acquired from the mother at the time of birth.
Signs of infection include slowed growth, enlargement of lymph nodes in several areas of the body, developmental delay, recurring bacterial infections, and lung inflammation.
The diagnosis is based on special blood tests.
Children who receive anti-HIV drug therapy (called antiretroviral therapy or ART) can live to adulthood.
Infected mothers can prevent transmitting the infection to their newborn by taking antiretroviral therapy, feeding their newborn formula rather than breast milk, and, for some women, undergoing a cesarean delivery.
Children are treated with the same drugs as adults.

For HIV infection in adults, see Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection.
There are two human immunodeficiency viruses:

HIV-1
HIV-2

Infection with HIV-1 is by far more common than infection with HIV-2 in almost all geographic areas. Both progressively destroy certain types of white blood cells called lymphocytes, which are an important part of the body