WHO Disease Staging System for HIV Infection and Disease in Children
The current staging system for HIV infection in children was developed in 2005 and builds upon the staging system in place since 1987. A child is defined as someone under the age of 15. This staging system also requires the presence of HIV infection: HIV antibody for children aged 18 months or more; virological or p24 antigen positive test if aged under 18 months. Clinical Stage 1 Asymptomatic Persistent generalized lymphadenopathy Clinical Stage 2 Hepatosplenomegaly Papular pruritic eruptions Seborrhoeic dermatitis Extensive human papilloma virus infection Extensive molluscum contagiosum Fungal nail infections Recurrent oral ulcerations Lineal gingival erythema (LGE) Angular cheilitis Parotid enlargement Herpes zoster Recurrent or chronic RTIs (otitis media, otorrhoea, sinusitis) Clinical Stage 3 Conditions where a presumptive diagnosis can be made on the basis of clinical signs or simple investigations Moderate unexplained malnutrition not adequately responding to standard therapy Unexplained persistent diarrhoea (14 days or more) Unexplained persistent fever (intermittent or constant, for longer than one month) Oral candidiasis (outside neonatal period) Oral hairy leukoplakia Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis/periodontitis Pulmonary TB Severe recurrent presumed bacterial pneumonia Conditions where confirmatory diagnostic testing is necessary Chronic HIV-associated lung disease including bronchiectasis Lymphoid interstitial pneumonitis (LIP) Unexplained anaemia (<80g/L), and or