A new article in the Journal of the International AIDS Society highlights the urgent need for a clear strategy to prevent and treat advanced HIV disease in children and teens.
Many children and teens living with HIV still present with severe immunosuppression. They do not start antiretroviral therapy (ART) until they are hospitalized—when it is often too late.
The major causes of morbidity and mortality in children living with advanced HIV are pneumonia, tuberculosis, bloodstream infections, diarrhea, and severe acute malnutrition. This article discusses the common clinical presentations of children and teens with advanced HIV disease with a focus on diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. The article also highlights some of the challenges implementing the existing package of care and emphasizes the the need for further research to provide quality care for these groups.
