Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus that weakens the body's immune system. This makes it harder to fight off infections. Without treatment, HIV can lead to a serious condition called AIDS.

HIV spreads through certain body fluids like blood, semen, vaginal fluids and breast milk. In kids, HIV is usually passed from mother to baby during pregnancy, birth or breastfeeding. Teens can get HIV through unprotected sex or sharing needles when using drugs.

All pregnant people should get tested for HIV. If needed, they should take medicine to protect their babies. Teens should get tested at least once between the ages of 15 and 18. If they’re sexually active, they should get tested every year.

The good news is that with the right treatment, people living with HIV can live long, full lives.

The Children’s Wisconsin HIV Program provides the following services:

• Care for kids and teens up to 18 years old living with HIV
• Care for pregnant people, women and those 18–25 years old living with HIV
• Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) medicine for teens at risk of HIV from sex or drug use
• Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) medicine for kids and teens after exposure

Our HIV Program is part of the Wisconsin HIV Primary Care Support Network. This lets us work with other providers to care for pregnant people, women and youth. This group includes the Medical College of Wisconsin, the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Marshfield Clinic and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

Antiretroviral Treatments

Antiretroviral treatments are medicines for managing HIV. They don’t cure HIV, but they help control the virus so people with HIV can live long, healthy lives.

This treatment helps stop HIV from growing in the body. It can lower the amount of virus so much that it doesn't show up on tests. This is called being undetectable. When someone is undetectable, they can stay healthy and can’t pass HIV through sex.

HIV Prevention

We also provide medicine for kids and teens who have had a potential exposure to HIV or are at risk of HIV.

HIV prevention includes:

• Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP): This is medicine that can lower the chances of getting HIV from sex or drug use.
• Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP): This is medicine for kids and teens after a possible exposure that prevents HIV. PEP is for emergency use only. Treatment must be started within 72 hours after possible exposure.

We help doctors who manage PrEP care for their patients. We also support follow-up testing for all kids and teens who start on PEP.

To request a consult with our HIV Program, please call (414) 266-2000. Ask to speak with the HIV Program staff on call.

Before

For kids and teens:

• Our experts will work with your child’s doctor so care can happen close to home.
• We’ll make home and other health visits to help manage your child’s care.

For pregnant people:

• We’ll manage care with your pregnancy doctor and HIV expert early on.
• Our care team will go to your pregnancy and HIV visits.

During

For kids and teens:

• Our team will help choose the best time and place for medicine.
• We’ll stay in contact to manage side effects, answer questions and make sure treatment is working.

For pregnant people:

• We’ll prepare you and your delivery team to make sure your birth is smooth and safe.
• We’ll support your other care teams to make sure everyone is ready to provide the best care on delivery day.

After

For kids and teens:

• We’ll help your child move into adult care when the time is right. First, they’ll see an adult primary care expert, then an adult HIV expert.
• Our team will stay in contact to make sure your child keeps getting the support they need.

For pregnant people and their babies:

• After delivery, we’ll help make sure your baby receives follow-up care.
• We’ll continue to support you as a parent every step of the way.