HIV-Infected Youth

This 4-page report, produced by YouthNet-Family Health International, focuses on HIV infections of 15 to 24 year olds, particularly young women at risk. The author, Shears, suggests that existing health services should focus on responding to the needs of HIV-infected youth. The report has two sections: Needs of HIV-Infected Youth and Programmatic Challenges.

According to this report, HIV-infected youth follow a course of HIV infection which is different from adults and children because their immune systems are not yet compromised enough to require antiretroviral treatment. Adults are described as becoming ill more quickly while children infected at birth, and who survive into adolescence, usually have an advanced case of the disease.

The report suggests that youth can "benefit from counseling, nutrition interventions, and preventive treatment to help avoid opportunistic infections, which can slow the progression from HIV infection to AIDS and postpone the need for antiretroviral (ARV) drugs."

Shears refers to U.S. demonstration projects that combine medical treatment for HIV-infected youth with psychosocial support and individual case management. This project suggests that when youth have a support system there is "facilitated treatment adherence and patient retention." Shears also points out that in the case of developing countries HIV-infected citizens must have a minimum level of service first.