Advanced HIV disease in children

Nurses in the Children's Hospital AIDS Program have cared for over 600 children with HIV/AIDS since the disease was first recognized in children. During that time, we have developed models of care and clinical interventions based on nursing theory and research findings whenever possible. The new challenges of this disease have also caused us to develop approaches to care based on our own clinical experience. This article presents information on the care of children with advanced disease based on material from nursing and medical literature and from the clinical experience we have had during the past 12 years.