Elizabeth Secord
Wayne State University, United States
Title: adolescents and young adults with perinatal HIV: Special challenges
Biography
Biography: Elizabeth Secord
Abstract
Perinatal HIV infection was first identified in the mid 1980's, but adequate treatments were not identified and implemented until the 1990's. The incidence of perinatal HIV did not decline until after the perinatal HIV transmission study demonstrating effectiveness of Zidovudine in preventing maternal to fetal transmission. Children with HIV who survived have to cope with many situations that are unique to them as teens and adolescents with perinatally acquired HIV. They have often been raised by family that stepped in when their own parents died from HIV. They sometimes have cognitive impairment from their HIV, which was not treated adequately in early childhood. They often have acquired resistance from poor adherence throughout preadolescence and adolescence. They often have increased risk during their pregnancies compared to their peers. And all of the usual adolescence issues associated with chronic illness also occur in this population. The workshop will be a case based discussion addressing adherence, medication resistance and life skills in this very unique population of youth. It will also discuss disclosure issues and unique support systems.