Childhood asthma and opportunistic INFECTIONS of HIV POSITIVE CHILDREN IN Bosnia and Herzegovina

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Opportunistic infections  are the most common complication of AIDS. Increased understanding of the pathogenesis of HIV and associated opportunistic pathogens has led to effective prophylaxis for many of these infections. Asthma (GINA) guidelines (Modification for children)  also recommend a measure of severity that is based on daily medication regimen and response to treatment.  

METHODS: HIV is present in body fluids especially blood and semen  especially in the early and late phases of the disease in children. This was a randomized, double-blind controlled trial conducted between 2005 and 2009 in a primary, secondary and tertiary care pediatric pulmonology departments.

RESULTS: The rate of new HIV infections has fallen in our country. When CD4⁺ T cells drop below about 400 per µl, the kids patients immunity is sufficiently weakened that opportunistic infections begin. These are infections caused by organisms that ordinarily do not cause disease symptoms in immunocompetent children.

DISCUSSION: The epidemic of AIDS in Bosnia and Herzegovina is stabilizing but at an unacceptably high level.

CONCLUSIONS: Asthma is the most common chronic childhood illness. The following opportunistic infections and conditions can frequently occur in children  with AIDS as viral infections like  herpes simplex virus, lymphoid interstitial pneumonia , shingles , cytomegalovirus infection , parasitic infections such as a pneumonia caused by Pneumocystis carinii, toxoplasmosis, serious bacterial infections such as bacterial meningitis, tuberculosis, salmonellosis and fungal infections.

KEY WORDS: HIV, Children, Opportunistic Infections, Treatment, Asthma.