Book Aids Families with Kids Having HIV
An IU physician and nurse at Riley Hospital for Children have written
a book containing medical and practical advice for families with
children who are HIV positive.
Elaine Cox, MD, clinical assistant professor of pediatrics, and
Denise Shalkowski, RN, collaborated on A Family’s Guide to
Living with HIV, a 76-page book that includes a wide range of helpful
information. Free copies of the book were sent to medical directors
of every pediatric HIV program in the country.
“We always try to remember in our clinic that there is more
to the child than their disease,” says Dr. Cox, who sees virtually
all children in Indiana afflicted with HIV at Riley Hospital’s
Ryan White Center for Pediatric Infectious Disease.
The guide goes beyond medical information about HIV to cover clinic
visits, psychological concerns, how medications work and their side
effects, a glossary of terms and a listing of helpful resources.
It also focuses on lifestyle issues for HIV patients, including
nutrition, school activities, sports, travel and sexuality.
Every family visiting the Ryan White Center receives a free copy
of the book. Children’s hospitals and the general public may
request the free guide by contacting the Riley Infectious Disease
Department at (317) 274-7260. It also can be downloaded at www.clarian.org/pdf/hivguide.pdf.
|
