TALKING WITH YOUR CHILD ABOUT HIV

HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, is an important topic for parents and children to discuss. Parents are often uncomfortable discussing sex and drug use with their kids. But protecting children from life's hazards is part of a parent's job. Talking about HIV is an important task that parents today must take on.

Be honest and clear when talking about HIV. Start by finding out what they already know. Let them know how they can get HIV. HIV is passed to others by:

direct intimate contact with HIV-infected body fluids, such as blood, vaginal secretions, or semen
having oral sex with an HIV-positive partner
an HIV-infected mother to her baby during pregnancy, delivery, or breastfeeding
having sexual intercourse without a latex or plastic condom with an HIV-positive partner and
HIV-contaminated needles from drug use, tattoos, or body piercing

Also, let kids know how they will not get HIV. This is especially important for young children to know. They will not get HIV from a swimming pool, drinking fountain, toilet seat, or from being around someone with HIV or AIDS. They cannot get it from an insect bite or sharing food.

Once a child reaches puberty, he or she needs to understand exactly what unprotected intercourse is. They also need to know that safer sex can help reduce the risk of HIV.

Examples of safe sex include:

abstinence from sexual intercourse
sexual activity that does not involve contact with semen or vaginal secretions and
using a condom each and every time they have sex

Talking about safe sex does not encourage teens to have sex. This information can be life-saving information they will carry into adulthood.

For more information on HIV and AIDS, call the 24-hour National STD and AIDS Hotline at (800) 227-8922 or (800) 342-2437. The Spanish speaking Hotline at (800) 344-7432 is available between the hours of 8:00 AM and 2:00 AM eastern standard time 7 days a week. The TTY line for the hearing impaired is (800) 243-7889 between 10:00 am and 10:00 PM Monday through Friday eastern standard time. These hotlines are provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Information can also be obtained from their website at www.cdc.gov.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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