Children

Talk to your child about HIV and answer any questions that they raise, whenever they raise them.

You may find that a clear guide to HIV such as our Simple Science pages helps, or you may want to contact THT Direct for advice on where to start.

Reassure your child that with treatment someone with HIV can live nearly as long as someone without HIV.

HIV negative children

There are measures that can be taken to reduce the risk of passing HIV onto your child. These are examined in our After the birth section.

Ensuring your child is not put at risk of HIV infection does not mean you should keep them at a distance. By all means, you should feel free to cuddle them, kiss them and generally show them the love and affection that you have for them - you cannot pass HIV onto your child by normal family activities.

As your child gets older, you may feel ready to tell them that you are HIV positive. They may be shocked or upset by the news or may not be able to keep it to themselves, and this could cause problems for all of you. See our 
Telling People section for information and advice in this area.

HIV positive children

Whether you have just told your child about HIV or whether they have known they are positive for a while, it may also leave them feeling sad, angry or confused.

They may be wondering what this means for their health, whether they can do all the things other children or young people do and whether they will be able to have a boyfriend or girlfriend. Some parents also find that their children blame them for their HIV status.

Again, clear communication about the reality of living with HIV will help reassure your child.

Our Born With HIV section examines some of the concerns positive children and young people may have around HIV. Understanding these may help you to address them.

Support

Body and Soul is a London-based charity with support groups for children and teenagers with HIV and children who have a parent who is HIV positive.  It can be a really good place for them to talk freely about their concerns. They also run special services for parents and carers.

The Children's HIV Association (CHIVA) is a group of professionals which provides support to children with HIV and their families. It aims to ensure that HIV positive children receive the same opportunities and care as every other young person.