HIV/AIDS CONT. 
Division of Public Health Services  Disease Handbook for Childcare Providers 
Bureau of Infectious Disease Control   REVISED –January 2018 
HIV/AIDS 
 
The human immunodeficiency virus – or HIV for 
short – is the name of the virus that causes the 
condition known as AIDS (Acquired 
Immunodeficiency Syndrome).  HIV attacks the 
body’s immune system and makes it unable to 
fight-off certain infections and cancers. 
 
How do children get HIV? 
The primary method that children become 
infected with HIV is through maternal 
transmission (i.e., the transfer of HIV) from 
mother-to-child during pregnancy, childbirth or 
breastfeeding.  If medical treatment is us ed in 
combination with obstetric care and an elective 
caesarian section, transmission is reduced to an 
only 2% chance of infant transmission. 
 
Can HIV be spread in childcare 
settings? 
No documented cases of HIV infection have been 
traced to kissing, biting , playing with an infected 
child, or sharing food, eating utensils, toys or 
bathroom facilities. 
 
Sexual transmission of HIV 
With individuals that are positive, HIV is found in 
blood, mother’s milk, semen and vaginal 
secretions.  HIV transmission as a resu lt of anal, 
oral, or vaginal intercourse has been well 
documented.  HIV infection can also occur as a 
result of sexual abuse in children. 
 
How is HIV diagnosed? 
For adults rapid HIV tests are available and are 
used in NH.  To confirm a rapid test, people 
should still receive a blood test.  A blood test 
involves testing for the HIV antibody.  However, 
use of HIV -antibody testing in children less than 
18 months old may be confounded by the 
presence of maternally acquired HIV antibodies.  
Other laboratory tests such as viral culture, 
nucleic acid detection or antigen test are useful in 
determining HIV infection in these children. 
 
What are the symptoms? 
There are a wide range of signs and symptoms 
seen in HIV -infected children.  Symptoms may 
include failure to  thrive, weight loss, fever, mild 
or severe developmental delay, neurologic 
deterioration and severe, prolonged or recurrent 
infections.  In general, the interval from HIV 
infection to the onset of symptoms is shorter in 
children than adults due to the developing and 
immature immune system.  For this reason, HIV 
infected women should seek medical care and 
treatment early on in a pregnancy. 
 
Should children with HIV be enrolled in 
childcare? 
Yes.  Studies continue to show no evidence of 
transmission of HIV within the childcare setting.  
HIV infected children should therefore be 
enrolled in daycare if their health, neurologic 
development, behavior and immune status are 
appropriate.  The decision as to whether or not a 
child with known HIV infection may be enrolled 
in childcare should be made on a case -by-case 
basis.  The decision is best made by the child’s 
healthcare provider. 
 
Reportable? 
Yes, both HIV infection and AIDS are reportable 
by New Hampshire law to the Division of Public 
Health Services, Bureau of Infectious Disease 
Control at (603) 271-4496.