AIDS, which stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, is a condition caused by an infection with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. This viral infection attacks the immune system and gradually depletes it, though cases of full blown AIDS in children are rare because it takes years for the infection to progress to AIDS. Although AIDS is not common in children, some children can become infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, also known as HIV. The infection in children takes a different course than it does in adults.
Transmission
HIV in adults is most commonly transmitted as a result of sexual contact, Avert.org explains, and can account for some cases of AIDS in children who are in regions where sexual activity occurs early in life. The most common cause of a HIV infection in a child, however, is known as vertical transmission, which is the passing of the virus from a pregnant woman to her unborn fetus. This can occur during delivery or during pregnancy. Children can also become infected with HIV in medical settings due to contaminated blood products or needles that have been improperly sterilized.
Disease Course
The course of an HIV infection is generally different for children than it is for adults, AIDS Infonet explains, because the immune system of children is still developing. The viral load, a measurement of the disease's progression, is usually higher in children, but they also have higher CD4 cell counts, which is an indicator used to measure the health of the immune system. After infection, most infants have a gradual decrease in their viral load until they reach the age of 5.
Symptoms
Infants who are infected with HIV may experience slowed growth, have swollen lymph nodes and a swollen spleen, and experience periodic diarrhea, Children's Hospital Boston reports. They can also develop oral thrush, which is characterized by white patches appearing on the tongue and cheeks. Older children with HIV will develop swollen lymph nodes and may also develop swelling of the parotid gland. They may develop rashes and can also be prone to developing sinus or ear infections.
Diagnosis
HIV infections are typically diagnosed using blood tests that detect antibodies, which are proteins that the immune system makes in response to a HIV infection. HIV positive children are not considered to have AIDS until their immune system has become severely depleted. Since children's immune systems are still developing, their immune systems are often more resilient to the effects of HIV.
Treatment
Children with HIV typically respond well to a combination of drugs known as antiretroviral therapy, AIDS Infonet explains. Children who are HIV positive should be treated by pediatricians who have experience in dealing with HIV. It can be difficult to determine the dosage that is effective for children because of their small size and because they typically have more body fat, which can slow the activity of medications.
