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Review
. 2021 Apr;19(4):457-471.
doi: 10.1080/14787210.2021.1829473. Epub 2020 Nov 1.

Adolescents and young adults with early acquired HIV infection in the united states: unique challenges in treatment and secondary prevention

Hasiya Yusuf  1 , Allison Agwu  1   2
Affiliations
Review

Adolescents and young adults with early acquired HIV infection in the united states: unique challenges in treatment and secondary prevention

Hasiya Yusuf et al. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther. 2021 Apr.

Abstract

Introduction: Worldwide, children who acquired human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) at an early age, either perinatally or through blood transfusion, are reaching adolescence and adulthood due to successful antiretroviral treatment (ART). While many are thriving, a significant proportion face unprecedented multilevel challenges that can affect their long-term outcomes. Specifically, longstanding and poorly controlled HIV resulting from inadequate early regimens and nonadherence, along with the toxicities of some ART agents, can predispose them to sequelae including HIV-associated complications and other comorbidities.

Areas covered: This paper reviews and summarizes the unique issues facing adolescents and young adults with early acquired HIV (AYA-EAHIV), including ART challenges, emerging comorbidities, and complications, including mental health comorbidities, secondary prevention, and transition from pediatric/adolescent to adult care.

Expert opinion: AYA-EAHIV are a special population that have lived their entire lives with the physical and psychological toll of HIV mandating targeted and purposeful approaches to optimize their management and outcomes. Multifaceted inclusive and context-specific approaches focusing on heightened research, risk reduction interventions, and 'outside the box' thinking will be required to optimize treatment and reduce morbidity and mortality.

Keywords: Early acquired HIV; adherence; adolescent; chronic HIV; comorbidities; perinatal HIV; risk reduction; secondary prevention; virologic suppression; young adult.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of interests

A Agwu receives funding from Johns Hopkins Center for AIDS Research (P30AI094189). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

References

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