Medicines for AIDS treatment of children are not easily available. Developed countries are not really facing this disease. This poses a lot of challenges in treatment
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According to an estimate, in India HIV The number of victims (PLHIV) is about 24 lakhs. The National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) reported that the southern states have the highest number of PLHIV, with Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka topping the list. world AIDS Day But Dr. Ishwar Gilada, consultant for HIV, STD and infectious diseases at the Unison Medicare and Research Center in Mumbai, told News9, “Out of these 24 lakh cases, about 3 percent are children, which is a matter of great concern.”
This means that about 72 thousand children in India are suffering from this disease. “The disease may interfere with some routine vaccinations for children,” Dr Gilada said.
Children suffering from AIDS cannot get live vaccine
Dr. Gilada explained in detail that if a child is not getting HIV/AIDS treatment, he should not be given live vaccines. He said, “In live vaccine, a large amount of live germs are injected into the body through the vaccine to alert the immune system. But whose immune system is weak, the effect of these vaccines on such patients can be serious.
Live vaccines are used to protect against Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR combined vaccine), Rotavirus, Smallpox, Chickenpox and Yellow fever.
How is HIV spread?
Although it is known to everyone that HIV is a sexually transmitted disease, but this virus can also pass from an infected mother to the unborn child. HIV virus infection also spreads in the following ways:
Vertical Transmission: If the mother is infected with the HIV virus, HIV can be transmitted to children born or breastfed.
Contaminated blood: HIV can also spread through contact with infected blood. However, donated blood is rigorously screened for the presence of the HIV virus, so the risk of contracting HIV from exposure to contaminated blood is very low.
Needles: HIV is often spread by sharing needles, syringes, or drug use equipment with someone infected with the virus. However, transmission of HIV from patient to health care worker, or through health care worker to patient, through contaminated needles or other medical equipment is rare.
Challenges in Treating Children
Dr Gilada said that there are many challenges when it comes to treating children. He said, “Medicines are not easily available for the treatment of children. Developed countries are not really facing this disease, while it is seen more in developing countries like Africa and India. So, the pharmaceutical companies are not taking any interest in this matter.”
He also said that the current treatment for children is not a real cure for the disease. This is only a temporary way of protecting children from other diseases. Dr. Gilada concluded, “We are using the same drugs given to adults, but the dosage is quite a work in progress. For example, by breaking a capsule in 2, take only half at a time.”
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