Tuberculosis and HIV co-infections in Jamaican children.

Abstract

HIV and TB co-infection is an increasing problem in Jamaican children. Severity of illness and death is greater in HIV-infected children, despite appropriate anti-TB therapy. Antiretroviral drugs must be made available to this population. Efforts must be enhanced to reduce mother-to-child-transmission of HIV/AIDS and to strengthen the public health management of TB (contact tracing and completion of TB therapy by directly observed therapy) to eliminate the spread