PRIMARY: To identify, characterize, and co-enroll HIV-infected adolescents into existing and future ACTG (or other NIH-sponsored) HIV treatment protocols through the systematic and recurrent assessment of eligibility. To assess the ability of adolescents enrolled in ACTG 220 to adhere to ACTG (or other NIH-sponsored) HIV treatment protocols; and to define factors that influence the adolescent's ability to enter or adhere to study protocols.

SECONDARY: To describe the nature, stage, and progression of HIV infection in adolescents.

Little is known about HIV-infected adolescents as a group and, as a result, small numbers of them are currently enrolled in ACTG drug studies. Creative approaches are needed to encourage enrollment of HIV-infected adolescents whose socio-demographic profile has made access to NIH-sponsored research unlikely.

Little is known about HIV-infected adolescents as a group and, as a result, small numbers of them are currently enrolled in ACTG drug studies. Creative approaches are needed to encourage enrollment of HIV-infected adolescents whose socio-demographic profile has made access to NIH-sponsored research unlikely.

At entry and at every subsequent visit, participants are systematically evaluated for eligibility and willingness to enter ACTG (or other NIH-sponsored) HIV treatment protocols from a menu developed and updated by the Pediatric Adolescent Working Group of the ACTG. A survey of participant attitudes, behaviors, and beliefs is administered and updated semiannually. Participants attend clinic visits every 3 months and are followed for a minimum of 6 months, until the end of the study. They receive periodic physical exams, STD and gynecologic or genitourinary evaluations, HIV symptom assessment and related diagnoses, TB evaluation, and laboratory tests (hematology and immunology).

• Fry LJ, Fernandez RA. HIV prevention: factors that predict compliance with testing and counseling procedures. J Am Osteopath Assoc. 1994 Oct;94(10):825-30.
• D'Angelo LJ, Lindsey J, Zimmer B, Culnane M, Futtermann D. Attempting to enhance the enrollment of adolescents into AIDS clinical trials: the design of ACTG Protocol 220. AIDS Patient Care STDS. 1998 Nov;12(11):853-9.
• Dankner WM, Lindsey JC, Levin MJ. Correlates of opportunistic infections in children infected with the human immunodeficiency virus managed before highly active antiretroviral therapy. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2001 Jan;20(1):40-8.

Inclusion Criteria

Participants must meet the following criteria:

• HIV infection.
• NOT currently enrolled in an ACTG treatment protocol.

Exclusion Criteria

Co-existing Condition:

Participants with the following condition are excluded:

• No legal provision for consent to participate in clinical research can be determined.