MANAGEMENT OF HIV-INFECTED CHILDREN IN THE HOME AND INSTITUTIONAL SETTINGS: Care of Children and Infections Control in Schools, Day Care, Hospital Settings, Home, Foster Care, and Adoption

Abstract

The likelihood of high-risk pediatric exposure to HIV infection, other than perinatal exposure, has been shown to be low in most cases, and HIV PEP should be considered on a case-by-case basis. Generic considerations in the management of children who have become HIV infected emphasizes the principles of inclusion, maintaining confidentiality of a child's HIV status, and notifying those who need to know about the HIV status to care properly for the child or adolescent. Although appropriate infection-control precautions are applicable for all children and for many pathogens, children especially HIV-infected children, exposed to such pathogens, must be managed in a timely fashion. In many cases, recommendations that are applicable in one setting are applicable in others. Some exceptions apply, including infection-control precautions in hospitals versus other settings. A few additional considerations have been made for special settings and activities, including adoption, foster care, athletics, summer camp, and other recreational activities.