Growth in children depends on multiple factors, some of them environmental such as nutrition, maternal health, and the psychosocial context in which they live. Growth also means a growing and developing brain. Factors such as lack of access to ARVs from an early age may lead to neurodevelopment impairment.  

Nurses can ensure vaccination schedules are up to date and offer annual influenza vaccines where indicated. 

School: Families are not required to disclose their health information to their child’s school (5) however the nurse may counsel the family around the usefulness, in some situations, for specific personnel to be aware of a child’s HIV diagnosis – for example during camp times/ or school trips, or where children may require supervision of their medications.  

Nurses can educate school staff on Standard Precautions, which should be employed following blood or bodily fluid exposure or spill. This can be done without sharing information or identifying the child/YP LWHIV.