Assisting children with AIDS

Advancing treatment of paediatric HIV

Description

Assisting children with AIDS involves providing comprehensive medical care, access to antiretroviral therapy, nutritional support, and psychosocial services tailored to their needs. The strategy aims to improve survival, enhance quality of life, and reduce stigma by ensuring early diagnosis, treatment adherence, and family or community support. Practical actions include facilitating healthcare access, offering counseling, supporting caregivers, and promoting education to address discrimination and ensure the child’s holistic well-being and social integration.

Context

Damage to the immune system from HIV infection tends to occur more quickly in infants and children than adults. In some children the damage occurs over a period of months, but in others it takes years to happen.