HIV Drugs Given to School Kids after Needle Pricks
Nineteen school children are now taking strong drugs to fight HIV after being pricked with a diabetic testing needle wielded by an eight-year old girl. KRT reports that the drug cocktail may be a combination of medicines that includes 100 mg of Retrovir [or AZT, an HIV-treatment] and 150 mg of Epivir [HIV and hepatitis treatment] in addition to a stomach protector - to prevent the onset of the virus.
The drugs will not cure HIV or prevent its transmission, but may reduce the amount of virus in the blood or slow the progress of the disease. The children may also experience side effects from the drugs [known as "antiretroviral drugs"] that include headaches, aching muscles, fatigue, nausea and, in some cases, diarrhea.
The incident happened in Hunting Park area of Philadelphia at Taylor Elementary. The girl apparently went around with the needle, reportedly her mothers, and stuck some of her classmates at random. After the attacks, the kids were all tested for HIV.
One of the children tested positive for the virus that causes AIDS.
Parents are outraged that the incident was not taken more seriously by the school. Reports are that the needle wielding girl began sticking other schoolchildren at the school's breakfast about 8:30 in the morning and resumed at lunchtime.
Officials claim that the chance for any of the non-infected children contracting the disease that cause AIDS is "extremely low." That probably has provided very little comfort to the parents and the kids.
TV reports in Philly say the school is going to "foot the bill for the children to be transported to the hospital for treatment, as necessary."