HIV symptoms in babies are more common in children of mothers who are HIV positive, especially when they do not receive treatment correctly during pregnancy.
The symptoms are difficult to perceive, but persistent fever, frequent occurrence of infections and delayed development and growth can be indicative of the presence of the HIV virus in the baby.
Main symptoms
Symptoms of HIV in the baby are difficult to identify, however they may be indicative of the presence of the HIV virus in the baby:
- Recurrent respiratory problems, such as sinusitis;
- Swollen tongues in different parts of the body;
- Mouth infections, such as oral candidiasis or thrush;
- Delay in development and growth;
- Frequent diarrhea;
- Persistent fever;
- Serious infections, such as pneumonia or meningitis.
Symptoms of the presence of HIV in the baby’s bloodstream most often appear around 4 months of age, but can take up to 6 years to appear, and treatment must be carried out according to the pediatrician’s guidance.
HIV treatment in babies
Treatment for HIV in babies is carried out according to the guidance of an infectious disease specialist or pediatrician, and the use of antiviral medications in syrup form is normally recommended, since at this age the baby cannot swallow pills.
Treatment is generally started as soon as symptoms appear, shortly after confirmation of the diagnosis, or when the child is over 1 year old and has a weakened immune system. Depending on the baby’s response to treatment, the doctor may make some changes to the therapeutic strategy according to the baby’s progress.
Furthermore, during treatment, it is recommended that powdered milk formulas be used to help strengthen the immune system, follow the vaccination plan and prevent the baby from coming into contact with children with chickenpox or pneumonia, for example, as there is a chance of developing the disease. The mother can feed the baby with breast milk as long as she is not a carrier of the HIV virus.
