title: [AIDS in childhood: basic guidance for attending].
abstract: The pandemic expansion of AIDS demands that all health care staff and institutions are prepared to diagnose and control this disease. The HIV virus destroys the immune response and causes a series of other organ and system dysfunctions, leading to diverse clinical manifestations. This article reviews the pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of HIV infection. The role of the health care worker as an educator is also reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Grupo AIDS na Infância, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre.
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Machado
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: da Silva
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Dutra
authors.forename: N A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Galvão