Hiv Aids Basics

HIV in Children and Teens
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS),
can affect anyone. This includes infants, children and teens.
Since HIV first became an epidemic in the 1980s, there have been major advances in treatment and survival
rates. But untreated HIV infection can develop into AIDS, which eventually leads to severe illnesses and
death.
Teens and HIV

An estimated 21% of all new HIV infections in the United States occur in teens and young adults. Yet most
sexually active 13- to 24-year-olds often don't realize that they're at risk for HIV, so they don't get tested. In
fact, this age group is more likely than any other to have undiagnosed HIV.
Even when they are diagnosed, teens and young adults are less likely than other people to get treatment. And
because this age group also has lower rates of viral suppression (when treatment gets the virus to an
undetectable level), they're less likely to stay healthy. All of these factors increase their risk of transmitting
HIV to others.
How is HIV spread?

Most often, HIV is transmitted during sexual intercourse through body fluids such as semen and vaginal
fluids. It can also be spread through intravenous drug use. Blood, blood products, needles, or other sharp
instruments contaminated with infected body fluids or blood can also spread HIV. Infants and children most
often get HIV infection from a birth parent with infection.
The virus cannot be spread through any of the following interactions with an HIV-positive person:
 Hugging or sitting next to them

 Shaking their hand
 Playing with their toys
 Eating food prepared by them
HIV transmission in schools or childcare centers has not happened either.
Signs & symptoms of HIV

HIV is an infection that lasts a lifetime. But symptoms may not appear for many months or years after
picking up the virus. In fact, the average time from getting the virus until developing the signs of AIDS in
teenagers and adults is 10 to 11 years. This means that teens and young adults may not be aware that they
are infected and can spread HIV to others.
When people are infected with HIV, the virus attacks their immune system. Signs and symptoms may
include:
 Swollen lymph nodes

 Recurrent diarrhea
 Minor skin infections
 Persistent fungal infections of the mouth (thrush)
 Failure to gain weight or grow in height at a normal rate
 An enlarged liver and spleen
As the immune system continues to weaken, AIDS-related infections and cancers can develop.
How is HIV diagnosed?

Typically, blood or oral fluids are used to diagnose HIV infection. There are three types of tests available:
 Nucleic acid test (NAT): This test uses blood to check how much of the virus is in the body.
 Antigen/antibody test: Antigens are foreign substances (such as a virus, bacteria, or pollen) that
cause your immune system to react. When you're exposed to a virus like HIV, your immune system
makes antibodies to fight it. In HIV, the specific antigen is called p24. It shows up even before
antibodies do. This blood test looks for both HIV antibodies and p24.
 Antibody test: This test uses either oral fluid or blood to look for HIV antibodies. Self-tests and
most rapid tests for HIV are antibody tests.
HIV screening for all teens

All teens ages 13 years and older are recommended to get at least one routine HIV
screening. After the first screening, teens who are sexually active should be screened
for HIV at least yearly. If they're at high risk, they may even need to be tested every 3
to 6 months and can get risk counselling from their pediatrician.
Teens at high risk for HIV can be prescribed medications to prevent HIV called PrEP. PrEP could be a pill
taken once daily or a shot given every 8 weeks. Those at high risk include males having male sexual contact;
people who inject drugs, transgender youth; youth of both genders having sexual partners with HIV or who
inject drugs; youth who exchange sex for drugs or money; or teens who have had a diagnosis of or request
testing for other STIs.
What if the test is positive?

If your teen tests positive for HIV, they need to be promptly linked to care and should consider letting their
sexual partners know. For help with this, get in touch with your local or state public health department. They
should have a confidential Partner Notification Services program of some sort that can notify your teen's
past and present partners without disclosing your teen's identity.
Keep in mind that in some states, the law requires informing sexual or injection partners that you have HIV.
You can check your state's HIV-related laws with The Center for HIV Law and Policy.
How is HIV treated?

Doctors use combination of several antiretroviral drugs to treat people with HIV, including infants, children
and teens. These medicines lower the levels of HIV in the blood to being undetectable and prevent
transmission of the virus to others through sexual contact.
Sticking with treatment

It's important for your child to take their HIV medications daily, exactly as they are prescribed. This
prevents the development of HIV resistance and associated infections and helps your child's immune system
stay strong and healthy. If your child is having a hard time sticking with their treatment, be sure to talk with
your doctor. They can help you pinpoint the problems and come up with a new plan to help make it easier.
Your teen may have been exposed to HIV after sexual activity, sharing needles, or sexual violence. In these
cases, your doctor will consider giving your child post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) with medicines that
work against HIV. If PEP is started within 72 hours after exposure, it's extremely effective in preventing
HIV.
For teens at high risk for HIV, your doctor can also prescribe medicine that can prevent acquiring HIV
called PrEP.
What is the outlook for children and teens with HIV?

HIV infection is a serious, life-long disease with no effective cure, but very effective
treatments are available. When it's undiagnosed or HIV medications aren't taken
regularly, people are more vulnerable to serious illnesses. But the good news is that
kids and teens with HIV can expect to live a long and fulfilling life as long as they take
their medications as directed.
How to prevent HIV transmission

Teens
In 2019, 27% of high school students reported that they engaged in sexual activity. By the 12th grade, this
number was up to 37%. But only 54% of sexually active high school students said they used condoms
during their last sexual encounter.
If your teenager is sexually active, they should practice safe sex. This means using a condom during
EVERY sexual experience. Even when people infected with HIV don't have symptoms, they can still
spread the virus to others.
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an option if your teen is at risk for getting HIV. PrEP means taking
medicine to prevent acquiring HIV. When it's taken as prescribed, PrEP lowers your risk of getting HIV by
around 99%.
Pregnant women & babies

Medicines that work against HIV help a pregnant woman with HIV to prevent transmitting the virus to her
baby. These medicines keep the mom-to-be healthy too.
If you have HIV, your newborn will be treated with medicines that work against HIV for at least few weeks,
until it becomes clear whether or not the baby has acquired HIV.
Breast milk can transmit HIV to your baby. However, the risk is very low if you are on treatment and have
no detectable HIV virus in your blood. Parents living with HIV should speak with their healthcare
professionals to help them decide how to best feed their baby. When your baby starts eating solid foods,
don't pre-chew the baby's food to avoid passing the virus to your baby.

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HIV in Children and Teens

Teens and HIV

How is HIV spread?

 Hugging or sitting next to them

HIV transmission in schools or childcare centers has not happened either.

Signs & symptoms of HIV

 Swollen lymph nodes

How is HIV diagnosed?

HIV screening for all teens

What if the test is positive?

How is HIV treated?

Sticking with treatment

What is the outlook for children and teens with HIV?

How to prevent HIV transmission

Pregnant women & babies

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