Adolescents and HIV infection

Abstract

Purpose of review: Adolescence is defined by the WHO as the period of life between 10 and 20 years of age. Following the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy mortality from perinatally acquired HIV has fallen dramatically with children in the developed world increasingly surviving into adolescence and adult life. Teenagers growing up with HIV/AIDS have common problems related to social difficulties and to side effects of HIV and highly active antiretroviral therapy impacting on their growth and development.

Recent findings: They start their sexual life with the very difficult challenges of HIV in relation to sex and stigmatization. Adolescents with HIV are at risk of infecting partners and children in case of pregnancy and of acquiring additional sexually transmitted infections themselves. Adherence is often not very good at this time of life and disclosure, support group and practical help will reduce virological failure and resistance mutations to highly active antiretroviral therapy.

Conclusion: Pediatric materials exist for early disclosure to prepare infected children for adolescence. Within a multidisciplinary team we have to be ready to take care of teenagers and to prepare children for the period of transition that culminates in the transfer to adult services.