The child’s health care providers need to know that the child has HIV in order to provide the best possible care. Providers include doctors, nurses, dentists, and other medical employees.
The law does not require parents and guardians to share HIV-related information with a child’s school. However, it may be in the child’s best interest for some school employees to know about the child’s HIV infection (for example, if the child needs help taking medicines).
Parents and guardians of children with HIV should also think about whether to share their child’s HIV status with people directly involved in the child’s life, such as babysitters, friends, and relatives. They do not have to tell anyone. However, it may be overwhelming to care for a young person with HIV/AIDS without telling
others and getting support.
Parents and guardians should consider:
• how disclosure would be helpful to the child;
• how disclosure would be helpful to the parents or guardians; and
• whether others can be trusted with this confidential information.
It may also be helpful to talk to the child’s doctor, nurse, social worker, and other people who are involved in the child’s care and sensitive to the child’s needs. They can provide advice about whether to reveal this information, how much you should tell, and who should know.
