Abstrakt
Biting is a possible mode of transmission of HIV infection, though the risk of such transmission is believed to
be low. Children infected with HIV are at risk of psychological complications as a result of direct or indirect effects associated with the disease. We report the case of an 11year old HIV positive girl with clinical stage IV disease, who was involved in multiple disputes while on admission on the ward. During one of the disputes she inflicted a deep bite injury on a 10-year old boy. HIV post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) was commenced 6 hours after the bite and he has remained HIV negative 12 months later. What is peculiar about this case is that the incident occurred in a hospital setting and biting is not usually expected among children of this age. In the era of HIV/AIDS, it is recommended that persons involved in childcare be aware of this potential risk during interactions among children. It is also essential for health care personnel to have sufficient knowledge about PEP in order to reduce the risk of HIV transmission in similar settings. In addition, a multi disciplinary approach to the management of children living with HIV is important in order to identify and address psychosocial factors that may influence symptoms and medical treatment outcome. The risk of transmission of HIV through human bites and the psychosocial impact of the disease on children are also discussed.
Keywords: Human bite, HIV- positive girl, Paediatric ward, PEP
Résumé
Croque est une méthode possible de transmission d’infection du VIH, bien que le risque d’une telle transmission est cru être faible. Les enfants infectés avec le VIH sont à risque des complications psychologiques comme le résultat des effets direct ou indirect associés avec cette maladie. Nous rapportons le cas d’une fille de 11 ans ayant le VIH avec les symptômes cliniques, stage IV, qui avait des disputes multiple pendant l’admission. Pendant une des disputes, elle inflictait un croque profond chez une jeune garçon de 10 ans. La prophylaxie post-exposition au VIH (PPE) commençait 6 heures après le croquet et il restait VIH négative 12 mois plutard. Ce qui est spécial de ce cas est que l’incidence a eu lieu dans l’hôpital et le croque n’est pas expectant parmi les enfants de cette age. Dans la région du VIH/SIDA, c’est recommandé que les personnes qui donnent les soins des enfants faite attention de ce risque potentiel durant les interactions parmi les enfants. Il est essentiel pour les professionnels de santé d’avoir des connaissances suffisantes a propos PPE en ordre de réduire le risque de transmission du VIH dans d’autres régions similaires. En plus, Une approche multi disciplinaire pour le management des enfants vivant avec le VIH est importante en ordre d’identifier et adresser les facteurs psychosociaux qui peuvent influence les symptômes et le résultat de traitement médical. Le risque de transmission du VIH par les croques humain et l’impact psychosocial de la maladie sur ces enfants sont discutés.
Correspondence: Dr. Regina Oladokun, Department of Paediatrics, University College Hospital, Ibadan. Nigeria.
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