In the UK, children and their families have access to interventions that reduce the risk of mother-to-child transmission of HIV to less than one per cent, as well as treatment that renders HIV a manageable long-term condition. But are we "getting to zero" for children and young people?
New infections among infants are, thankfully, very rare now in the UK. However, young people are acquiring HIV through unprotected sex: the Health Protection Agency recorded 1,624 new diagnoses among 16- to 24-year-olds from 2009 to June this year.
Deaths in children and young people are also uncommon but do happen, usually as a result of late diagnosis precluding effective treatment, or poor adherence to treatment.
Stigma and discrimination are still huge issues. Many HIV-positive children are not told the name of their diagnosis until the age of 10 to 12, largely due to stigma. Teenagers living with HIV talk about leading double lives, hiding their condition even from family members.
Fear of discrimination also plays a part in new infections and deaths. A mother may decline antenatal HIV testing, or parents may refrain from getting children tested, because a positive result is seen as stigmatizing. A young person may avoid taking medicine because it is a daily reminder of a difference which others seem unable to accept.
For any nation to "get to zero", it needs to tackle public awareness and understanding, supporting people to make healthy choices and addressing stigma and discrimination. The government’s review of PSHE education is a perfect opportunity to do this.
Emily Hamblin from the Children and Young People HIV Network at NCB
