Establishing Presence of HIV Infection in HIV Exposed Children Aged Under 18 Months in Resource-Limited Settings to Facilitate ART and HIV Care

Establishing Presence of HIV Infection in HIV Exposed Children Aged Under 18 Months in Resource-Limited Settings to Facilitate ART and HIV Care

a- The risk of HIV transmission remains if breastfeeding continues beyond 18 months of age.
b- Infants over 9 months of age can be tested initially with HIV antibody test, as those who are HIV Ab negative are not HIV infected, although still at risk of acquiring infection if still breastfeeding.
c- In children older than 18 months antibody testing is definitive.
d- Usually HIV antibody testing from 9-18 months of age.
e- Where virological testing is not readily available HIV antibody testing should be performed, it may be necessary to make a presumptive clinical diagnosis of severe HIV disease in HIV seropositive children. Confirmation of diagnosis should be sought as soon as possible.