It can be very hard to decide if and when you should tell family members about your HIV status. Which family member do you feel closest to? It may be best to tell that person first. It may make the bond between the two of you even stronger.

Tips for telling your family

Keep it as simple and direct as you can
Make sure you are ready to tell them
Prepare yourself for the different reactions they may have, such as sadness, anger, or fear
Let them know why you want them to know
Try to make sure you feel well physically when you tell your family
Share how important they are to you

You may have a hard time telling your family about being HIV+, or your family may not react the way you hoped. Your local AIDS service organization (ASO) can put you in touch with people who can help.

Telling your parents

Parents never want to hear that their child has HIV. But it is usually better if they find out from you, not someone else. Often, parents do not understand how well HIV treatment works today. They may not know that people with HIV can lead long and healthy lives when they take the right medicines. They may need time to understand and deal with your HIV status. Help your parents learn the facts about HIV. And let them see that you feel good about getting on with your life.

Telling children

Before telling children that you have HIV, it is often best to wait until they are old enough to understand what being HIV+ means. When you do tell them, be sure to give them the right information. Answer all of their questions as well as you can. Explain that with treatment you can live a long and healthy life. This can help them worry less about you and the future. You may want to get your children some extra support, such as talking with their own healthcare provider about HIV.

Next >> Telling your friends