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The HIV-Infected Adolescent

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Abstract

HIV-infected adolescents represent a unique, yet diverse, population requiring specialized medical and psychosocial HIV care. Perinatally infected and behaviorally infected adolescents often have differing therapeutic needs, but may share common difficulties, including medication nonadherence, high-risk sexual behavior, psychosocial stressors, and concomitant psychiatric disorders. Addressing these needs within a culturally sensitive framework and in the context of a population-specific approach to treatment is paramount to optimizing care. Harm reduction for this group to maximize their health and limit HIV transmission to others is also critical with respect to the rising incidence of newly diagnosed HIV-positive adolescents. Implementing a formal, multidisciplinary program that involves individual youths and their families for improved transition to adult HIV care will afford such adolescents a better chance for a healthy adulthood.

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Disclosure

Dr. Ross received research grants from Bristol-Myers Squibb and Cubist Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Chakraborty received a research grant from Pfizer. No other potential conflicts of interest were reported.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Emory University School of Medicine, 2015 Uppergate Drive, NE, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA

    Allison C. Ross, Andres Camacho-Gonzalez, Sheryl Henderson, Francisca Abanyie & Rana Chakraborty

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  1. Allison C. Ross
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  2. Andres Camacho-Gonzalez
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  3. Sheryl Henderson
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Correspondence to Allison C. Ross.

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Ross, A.C., Camacho-Gonzalez, A., Henderson, S. et al. The HIV-Infected Adolescent. Curr Infect Dis Rep 12, 63–70 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11908-009-0077-4

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