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78. How should parents talk to their children about HIV and AIDS?

Children and Adolescents/Young Adults

Parents should talk with their children about HIV and AIDS for many reasons, including:

• to make sure their children are getting accurate information that is appropriate for their age; and

• to help their children learn skills to reduce the risk of becoming infected

with HIV and protect themselves later in life.

Parents should look for chances to discuss HIV and AIDS directly with their children before their children are sexually active or experiment with drugs. A good way to approach the subject is to ask children what they are learning about HIV and AIDS in school. Or, parents can use news articles or stories on television, radio, or in the newspaper to start a conversation.

Parents should learn the facts about HIV and AIDS before talking with their children. Health departments, school health teachers, clinics, physicians, AIDS-related community organizations, libraries, and the Internet are good resources.

For a listing of HIV/AIDS educational materials written specifically for parents, call the New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute at (518) 474-9866 or

visit the website at http://www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/aids/index.htm for an order form; or call the National AIDS Information Clearinghouse at 1-800-458­5231. Parents of children with HIV should refer to question 79 below.

New HIV/AIDS drug treatments have lowered the number of AIDS-related deaths in the United States.

If you are HIV positive and pregnant, there are medicines you can take that can greatly decrease the chances of your baby having HIV.