What is the best indicator that a child with severe vomiting due to HIV-positive status is improving?

The best indicator of improvement in a child with severe vomiting due to HIV-positive status is an increase in weight by 1 lb over 3 days. Weight gain is a crucial measure of nutritional status and recovery, especially in children who may be particularly vulnerable to malnutrition and dehydration due to persistent vomiting.

In the context of an HIV-positive child, consistent weight gain signifies that the child is able to retain nutrients and fluids despite their illness, which reflects a positive response to treatment or dietary interventions. This metric can be particularly telling, as even short-term weight changes can indicate shifts in overall health status.

While a decrease in temperature, improved capillary refill time, and the absence of mouth ulcers may also be important indicators of health and hydration, they do not provide as direct a measure of nutritional recovery as weight gain does. For instance, temperature may fluctuate due to various factors not directly related to nutritional status. Capillary refill time is more indicative of perfusion and fluid status but does not specifically reflect the child's nutritional recovery. Similarly, the absence of mouth ulcers is beneficial but does not demonstrate the child's overall capacity to regain weight and health.

Thus, in the case of ongoing severe vomiting and the challenges associated with HIV-positive status, weight gain is the