Question
What is the life expectancy of an HIV positive child?
14 May 2012. Related: All topics, Children, Life expectancy.
What is the life expectancy of an HIV positive child?
Answer
Unfortunately, it is difficult to give an accurate answer as there isn’t much data on life expectancy in children.
Generally, though, if children are able to cope with the first year of treatment, then the outlook is very good.
Both PENTA [Paediatric European Network for the treatment of AIDS] and WHO [World Health Organisation] guidelines recommend starting ART [antiretroviral treatment]Â for all infants with HIV below the age of 12 months. The USA guidelines recommend ART for all infants. For more information on guidelines for treating babies and children, please follow these links to the European, WHO and USA guidelines.
The good news is that, with access to and good use of treatment, care and support many children born with HIV are now in their mid to late 20s. Many of these young people are either in college, working or starting families of their own.
Hi Mimi,
If your baby has diarrhea she’ll need to be seen by a doctor. This is important due to her age. The white tongue could be a number of things, a doctor will be able to advise you.
If you missed a week of meds, its very possible that your viral load could have increased. Are you able to have it tested?
Hi,my 5weeks baby has a white tongue,and diarrhea, could those be signs of HIV,she tested negative at birth . I would also like to know if skipping my treatment for a week will increase her chances of transmission? She is taking nvp