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Natasha's health represents a small but significant victory over an epidemic gripping South Africa and neighboring countries. AIDS drugs are turning what was a certain death sentence for infants and young children into a manageable disease, providing a glimmer of hope on a continent of gloom.

But a long, hard road lies ahead. In Sub-Saharan Africa, fewer than 10 percent of infected children are receiving the medication they need. Even in South Africa, which has a relatively advanced AIDS-fighting network, an estimated 5.5 million people are thought to have the virus, including about 240,000 children, only some 25,000 of whom have had the treatment that saved Natasha.

Last year, an estimated 950 South Africans died each day from AIDS-related diseases, and a further 1,400 were infected each day, according to the Medical Research Council. UNAIDS head Peter Piot warned a conference in the coastal city of Durban this month that for every person in the country who started taking AIDS drugs, another five contracted the virus.

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CAPE TOWN, South Africa -- Little Natasha is a giggling, wriggling bundle of mischief. She adores Barney the Dinosaur, claps along to her favorite songs, and throws a typical 3-year-old's temper tantrums.

Natasha, who picked up the AIDS virus in her mother's womb, also suffers from hearing problems, rashes and stomach upsets, and can't play outdoors too often because she easily catches cold.

But she is alive. So very alive.

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CAPE TOWN, South Africa — Little Natasha is a giggling, wriggling bundle of mischief. She adores Barney the Dinosaur, claps along to her favorite songs, and throws a typical 3-year-old's temper tantrums.

Natasha, who picked up the AIDS virus in her mother's womb, also suffers from hearing problems, rashes and stomach upsets, and can't play outdoors too often because she easily catches cold.

But she is alive. So very alive.

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CAPE TOWN, South Africa -- Little Natasha is a giggling, wriggling bundle of mischief. She adores Barney the dinosaur, claps along to her favorite songs, and throws typical toddler temper tantrums.

Natasha, who turns 3 on July 2, got HIV in her mother's womb. She suffers from hearing problems, rashes and a frequent upset stomach, and she can't play outdoors much because she easily catches cold.

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CAPE TOWN, South Africa — Little Natasha is a giggling, wriggling bundle of mischief. She adores Barney the Dinosaur, claps along to her favorite songs, and throws a typical 3-year-old's temper tantrums.

Natasha, who picked up the AIDS virus in her mother's womb, also suffers from hearing problems, rashes and stomach upsets, and can't play outdoors too often because she easily catches cold.

But she is alive.

Link to full article

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