Investigating HIV in children and adolescents

Over the past 30 years, Gilead has led innovation that has helped transform HIV treatment options. The needs of children and adolescents can be unique, and we are committed to developing treatments that can help advance options for everyone living with HIV. A Gilead clinical trial may be an option in your child's treatment journey.

Understanding HIV in children

HIV in children is most commonly passed from a birthing parent to their child during pregnancy, birth, or breast feeding. Adolescents may acquire it through sexual transmission
HIV testing is recommended as soon as possible in infants born to a parent living with HIV, as early diagnosis is important
However, there is still a lot of work and research that needs to be done to make sure that we can provide a variety of effective treatment options for children and adolescents

Source: Pedaids.org, HIVinfo.nih.gov

Considerations for developing age appropriate treatments

Gilead clinical trials seek to address specific needs for children

1

Easier to take formulations

Child appropriate formulations to be taken with liquids or food for children who may have difficulty swallowing tablets or pills.

2

Simplified regimens

HIV treatments for children that minimize the number of individual medicines and how many times a day they must take them each day.

3

Better palatable medications

Treatments that have an acceptable taste for children to help with treatment adherence.

Confidentiality and children in clinical trials

Disclosure of a child's HIV status can be a concern for parents and caregivers, and the stigma can make daily life feel isolating. A child's clinical trial participation is a personal decision made by the child's parents and/or caregivers, and uncertainty over confidentiality should not be a reason for concern. As with all medical records, participant privacy and confidentiality in trials are protected by law and regulations.

Explore our other HIV research areas

HIV treatment

We're focusing on advancing a pipeline of investigational options to create HIV treatments. Learn more about HIV treatment clinical trials.

HIV prevention

For decades, Gilead has been at the forefront of HIV prevention, developing the first pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) medication to help prevent HIV transmission. Gilead’s innovations continue today. Learn about Gilead’s HIV Prevention efforts.

Join Gilead Trial Connect and help advance clinical research. Your participation is key to developing future treatments.

Sign up now