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It is very important to seek medical care as soon as you know that your child has HIV.
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Although there is no cure as yet for HIV, there are things you can do to help your child stay as healthy as possible.
Because your child has HIV infection, you will want to learn as much as you can about the virus. You can prevent many illnesses by:
Immunize against infection.
With HIV infection, your child is more likely to get common childhood
illnesses, and these may be more serious. You can protect your child by making
sure all the baby shots are given on time. These shots include:
Your health care provider may recommend other immunizations, depending on the results of medical tests. These include:
Avoid common illnesses.
Some infections cannot be prevented by shots. Infections from the bacteria and
viruses that cause sores, colds, and influenza (flu) can weaken your child and make
it harder to resist more serious HIV- related diseases. Keep your child away from
people who are sick, and tell the doctor or nurse if you think your child has been
near someone with tuberculosis (TB) or other infections.
2. Provide a Healthy Home Life
As the parent or guardian of a child who has HIV infection, you will want to take special care of yourself so that you can care for your child. The advice that follows can help both you and your child stay as healthy as possible.
Teach personal care.
Wash your hands often, and
teach your child to do the same as soon as he or she is able. Keep your child away
from human or animal waste.
Brush the child's teeth until he or she is able. Your child will need to visit the dentist twice a year. Ask the dentist to help you teach your child proper mouth care. The first sign of your child's HIV infection may be sores in the mouth. At each visit, the doctor or nurse will examine your child's mouth.
Eat healthy foods.
Your child needs
healthy foods in order to grow and to help fight infections. A proper diet will also
help you and your child have strength and energy. Your child's health care provider
can help you decide which foods are best. Ask how to help a "picky eater" learn to
enjoy healthy foods.
Get regular exercise.
Most
children with HIV infection are active; however, some need encouragement to get
physical exercise (in fresh air and sunshine if possible). Regular exercise is
important to help you and your child keep up your strength.
Get plenty of sleep.
HIV-infected children need rest.
Sleep will renew your child's energy for the next day, especially for going to day
care or school, where there may be little time for rest during the day.
Play with, talk to, and hug your child often.
Spending time together will help you spot problems that should be reported to your child's
health care provider.
Give medication correctly and on
time.
Your child needs medicines to slow the HIV infection and prevent
other infections, such as pneumonia, that can occur when the immune system is
weak.
Your doctor or nurse will tell you exactly what medicine your child should have. Giving your child the right amount of medicine, and giving it on time, can mean the difference between staying healthy and becoming severely ill.
Do not allow your child to take any other medicines, alcohol, or illegal (street) drugs.
Your child's health care provider can show you how to hold the baby and use medicine droppers or syringes correctly.
Help your child lead
a normal life.
Playing with other children in your home and in the
neighborhood is good for your child. It is not dangerous for your child or for the
other children. HIV infection is not spread by touching or being in close contact
with a friend.
Watch your child carefully. Report any of the following to your health care provider right away:
4. Be
Sure Your Child Gets Medical Treatment
Your child may stay strong and healthy for a long time, but to be sure, regular blood tests will be needed to show how well the immune system is working.
Special T cells, called CD4 cells, in the blood help the body defend itself from attackers, such as viruses. But CD4 cells can be destroyed as your child's HIV infection worsens, leaving your child unable to fight off other infections and illnesses.
Your child's health care provider will do a CD4 cell count every few months. This test shows the number of CD4 cells in your child's blood and lets the doctor know when special medicine is needed.
Another drug, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole or TMP-SMX (Bactrim®, Septra®, and generic products), may be given to prevent Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP). PCP is the most common serious pneumonia in children with HIV. Your child may need other medicines to prevent "opportunistic" infections that can take advantage of a weakened immune system.
These treatments are strong and can cause problems. Watch for and report side effects such as problems in sleeping, headaches, vomiting, muscle or belly pain, numbness in hands or feet, or hyperactivity.
Your health care provider will take blood tests regularly to see how well your child can resist infections. Be sure to ask your doctor about other tests and treatments your child may need, including:
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