Pediatric HIV Infection.
As this article was written, celebrating another World AIDS Day, which falls on December 1 each year, was just days away. Not only is this a time to reflect on all the success with the treatment and management of HIV infection, in particular MTCT but also a time to reflect on the challenges ahead. As champions of children, pediatricians need to be more vocal in educating patients, families, and their communities about the risks of sexually transmitted infections and HIV infection and the need for testing as part of routine primary care. This needs to be the norm rather than the exception. All persons should be aware of their HIV status; until and unless this approach is taken, new infections will continue to be seen in young people, and even those who are aware of their status will continue to be wary of seeking care.
Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases & Immunology, University of Florida, Jacksonville, USA.
Ayesha
A
Mirza
Mobeen H
MH
Rathore
D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000379:methods; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; D014481:United States