According to UNICEF, 400 children on average are daily infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) all over the world. This means that globally, 3 million children and adolescents currently live with HIV, with nearly 9 out of 10 in sub-Saharan Africa. HIV and the acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) remain major factors contributing to childhood disease and mortality in the most affected parts of the world. UNICEF, one of the founding co-sponsors of UNAIDS, supports a multifaceted approach to tackle the epidemic, which focuses on prevention, better access to treatment, protection, care, and support for children who are most at risk.
Source: The Conversation
The Development of HIV in Children
As in adults, HIV weakens the children’s immune system by impairing the function of the body’s CD4 immune cells, which leads to immunodeficiency. The most advanced stage of HIV is AIDS, which normally takes 2 to 15 years to develop. However, in infancy, HIV advances to AIDS much quicker than in adulthood. Because children’s immune systems are not fully developed, they are likely to get more severely sick. Additionally, children living with HIV more frequently and for longer periods suffer from childhood illnesses such as mumps and chickenpox.
HIV Transmission in Children
More than 90 % of children living with HIV are infected through the so-called mother-to-child transmission (MTCT), with the mother passing the virus on her child during pregnancy, labor, or when breastfeeding. Such a large percentage of children infected via MTCT means that HIV in children is almost entirely preventable. If a mother living with HIV has access to antiretroviral therapy during her pregnancy, labor and while breastfeeding, the risk of HIV transmission can be reduced to less than 5 %. That is why the prevention of MTCT through providing pregnant HIV-positive women with antiretroviral therapy as early as possible has been at the center of UNICEF’s efforts.
Preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Lesotho
The Importance of an Early HIV Diagnosis and Treatment
Many children and adolescents living with HIV do not know their status, even though early diagnosis puts children who have contracted HIV on a life-saving path, simply because without knowing one’s HIV status, it is impossible to access life-saving treatment. According to the World Health Organization’s recommendations, babies born to women living with HIV should be tested within 2 months after birth. However, at the moment, only half of the infants born to mothers with HIV are tested within these recommended 2 months.
Without a diagnosis, children cannot access treatment. However, even when a child is diagnosed, there is no guarantee that they will be treated. Even though treatment is a chance for a normal and healthy life, data suggest that only half of the HIV-positive children aged 0-14 actually receive it. UNICEF is committed to making improvements in such shortcomings by making HIV services easier to access. They support the following 5-step process:
Identify all babies born to HIV-positive mothers.
Test them within 2 months after birth.
Communicate the results right away.
Treat positive babies immediately.
Ensure follow-up and continued care.
Early HIV diagnosis saves children’s lives in Malawi
Addressing Structural Factors
UNICEF supports a combination of structural, behavioral, and biomedical interventions to reduce HIV infections among children and adolescents. Their top priority is addressing structural factors that put children and adolescents at risk of acquiring HIV, including poverty, lack of education, and sexual violence. Another crucial matter is to recognize that once a child becomes infected with HIV, it is not only medical problems they suffer from, but also socioeconomic and psychological ones. Children living with HIV are more likely to face discrimination and stigmatization, they tend to get less education and be at risk of child labor. UNICEF emphasizes that without recognizing and structurally addressing these aspects, it is unlikely that the epidemic will come to an end.
UNICEF believes that we possess the power to make a change and eventually beat the epidemic. There is no better way to conclude than with an inspirational quote from the former UNICEF’s Executive Director Anthony Lake:
‘We must invest more in reaching every MOTHER, every NEWBORN, every CHILD, and every ADOLESCENT with HIV prevention and treatment programs that can save and improve their lives.’
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