Pediatric HIV:
Oral lesions are commonly associated with the disease
Across the globe, the
presence of HIV is wide-spread, 500,000 children died from
disease-related cases in that year alone. In the United States,
90 percent of infected children are infected by the disease
through birth.
The effects of the
disease on children differ greatly from those in adults, according
to a report/study that appears in the July/August 2006 issue of
General Dentistry. Type, severity and progression are all factors
that differ, depending on the age at which one contracts the
disease.Children do not demonstrate HIV-specific symptoms as adults
do, their bodies will most likely display an infection or weakness
instead of common HIV signs.”
The place where
this most commonly occurs is in the mouth. There are many
variations of the way lesions appear, but a few common types are:
candidiasis, or “thrush,” a fungal yeast
infection; salivary gland enlargement; herpes simplex virus;
inflammation of the gingiva; and canker
sores. Orofacial
manifestations of HIV are common in pediatric HIV infection, it is
important to be aware of these signs, as they may serve as both a
marker of infection and predictor of HIV progressing to AIDS.
What to do:
• Visit your general dentist.
They handle the majority of dental emergencies.
• If you fear that your child or teen might be at risk, have them
tested as soon as possible. The sooner a child is diagnosed, the
sooner treatment can begin.
• Communicate with your dentist if the child has HIV. It will alert
them to look closely for signs of disease, plus allow them to
provide the best possible treatment 10/06
