PIP: Although most infants infected with HIV manifest no symptoms of their infected status at birth, HIV-infected children usually develop clinical signs of HIV/AIDS much sooner after infection than do adults. A small percentage of children manifest no signs of HIV infection until reaching age 10 years or older. More than half of all HIV-infected children live for more than 5 years. It is extremely important that HIV-infected children lead normal lives, being allowed to play with friends, go to school, and play sports. Such children cannot transmit HIV to others through everyday activities. HIV status need not be known for the majority of infections an HIV-infected child is likely to have. Rather, such children need the same preventative care as all children, including routine immunization, good nutrition, basic hygiene, the prompt treatment of illnesses, and regular growth monitoring. Common illnesses in children with HIV infection include candidiasis, recurrent fever, recurrent bacterial infections, persistent diarrhea, chronic cough, and skin diseases. HIV-specific illnesses include pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, cerebral toxoplasmosis, and cryptococcal meningitis. Supportive care should be provided to sick children to relieve symptoms and reduce pain.