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Summary

  • If you are a woman living with HIV, it’s very important that your children are tested for HIV.
  • The course of HIV infection in children is different to that seen in adults. Your child’s health should be monitored regularly at a specialist clinic.
  • Treatment for HIV is very effective, and children with HIV who get the treatment they need can look forward to a long, healthy life.
  • Taking treatment properly is very important and the clinic can suggest ways of helping with this.
  • Children with HIV need to be given information about their illness appropriate to their age and development.
  •  It’s up to you whether you tell other people that your child has HIV, and it’s a good idea to think carefully about this before making a decision. Similarly, as your child gets older, they can decide who knows and how they tell people, but they may need your support to plan this.
  • There is lots of support available to help you and your child live well with HIV.

HIV & children

Published March 2015

Last reviewed March 2015

Next review March 2018

Contact NAM to find out more about the scientific research and information used to produce this booklet.

This content was checked for accuracy at the time it was written. It may have been superseded by more recent developments. NAM recommends checking whether this is the most current information when making decisions that may affect your health.
Community Consensus Statement on Access to HIV Treatment and its Use for Prevention

Together, we can make it happen

We can end HIV soon if people have equal access to HIV drugs as treatment and as PrEP, and have free choice over whether to take them.

Launched today, the Community Consensus Statement is a basic set of principles aimed at making sure that happens.

The Community Consensus Statement is a joint initiative of AVAC, EATG, MSMGF, GNP+, HIV i-Base, the International HIV/AIDS Alliance, ITPC and NAM/aidsmap
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This content was checked for accuracy at the time it was written. It may have been superseded by more recent developments. NAM recommends checking whether this is the most current information when making decisions that may affect your health.

NAM’s information is intended to support, rather than replace, consultation with a healthcare professional. Talk to your doctor or another member of your healthcare team for advice tailored to your situation.