Dr. Gwenn Schurgin O'Keeffe, MD, FAAP

Dear Dr. Gwenn,

A few weeks a go, my sister's daughter was diagnosed HIV positive AIDS. She has been put on an ARV program and there is still very low study in this area.

Since this is a life problem, ARV's are very acidic and so will affect the life of this child. Even social help is very low. What could be your alternative advice, because there seems to be no help for children with this disease? I would be glad to hear from this blessing of FC.

Signed,
Richard in Uganda

Dear Richard:

My thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time. Your best course of action is to continue with ARV and find the best HIV/AIDS hospital in your area. AIDS is a very complicated illness and can only be managed with specialized medical care. Unfortunately, alternative treatments will not be effective in stopping the HIV once true AIDS has been diagnosed.

According to Dr. Ben Kruskal, Chief of Pediatrics Infectious Disease with Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates, "Uganda actually has a lot of HIV research going on, both in Kampala (the capital) and in other areas." Dr. Kruskal suggested the Uganda Network of AIDS Service Organizations may be able to provide you with more information and assistance: unaso@unaso.or.ug.

Best,
Dr. Gwenn

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About the Author
Pediatrician, Dr. Gwenn Schurgin O'Keeffe, MD, is a board-certified pediatrician and Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Gwenn is an experienced columnist, educator, and practicing pediatrician. Dr. Gwenn strives to write as if she were talking to a parent. As a parent herself, she knows how important it is to obtain information but also understand how precious little time parents have to find that information on the internet. Pediatrics Now was developed to fill that gap and provide a bridge between the parenting and pediatrics worlds.

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