Results from the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) attacking helper T cells

Three main groups of children infected with HIV

Not spread by casual contact with an infected child; spread only by an exchange of body fluids, including breast milk, blood, semen, or vaginal fluids

Incubation period for HIV infection much shorter in children than in adults

Passive antibody transmission: accounts for all infants born to HIV-infected mothers testing positive for antibodies to the virus up to about age 18 months; during this time, detection of the HIV antigen confirms diagnosis

Also called AIDS

HIV strikes helper T cells bearing the CD4 antigen.

Antigen serves as a receptor for the retrovirus and allows it to enter the cell.

After invading a cell, HIV replicates, leading to cell death, or becomes latent.

HIV infection leads to acute disease either directly, through destruction of CD4+ cells, other immune cells, and neuroglial cells; or indirectly, through the secondary effects of CD4+ T-cell dysfunction and resultant immunosuppression.

Contaminated blood products

Infected mother (during pregnancy, birth, or breast-feeding)

I.V. drug abuse

Sexual contact with infected partner

Failure to thrive

Lymphadenopathy

Mononucleosis-like prodromal symptoms

Neurologic impairment, such as loss of motor milestones and behavioral changes

Night sweats

Recurring opportunistic infections, such as Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP)

Recurring diarrhea

Weight loss

Hepatosplenomegaly

Repeated fungal infections (thrush)

Multiple bacterial infections