AIDS: HIV-infected children can benefit significantly from highly active antiretroviral therapies, and many of them will become long-term survivors of a chronic illness. In evaluating pediatric patients, a standard physical examination and laboratory evaluation should be done; guidelines specify which tests are essential to this preliminary examination. Combination therapy is effective in children, and all young patients displaying clinical signs and symptoms of HIV or any AIDS-defining illness should receive antiretroviral therapy. Side effects in children mirror those in adults, and it can be difficult for parents and physicians to accept weight loss in children who are already underweight. Twenty percent of infected children develop recurrent opportunistic infections; they are also at risk of developing severe chickenpox. Some immunizations may be dangerous to HIV-infected children. A list of drugs approved for pediatric use, noting which combinations are most effective, is included.