Talking to children about HIV and AIDS
While sex can be an
uncomfortable topic to discuss with kids, "the conversation" has
never been more important. Sex has consequences that can be more serious than
pregnancy, namely HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. And even children need to
know the facts about HIV.
Despite significant
advances in the treatment of HIV, there is no cure or vaccine that can prevent
the disease.
Topics for discussion of HIV/AIDS
1. Do your homework before talking to children about HIV.
Know the basic facts
about HIV/AIDS:
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).
- HIV is transmitted from person to person through contact with blood, semen, vaginal fluid, or breast milk.
- HIV can be prevented by using latex condoms during sex, not sharing needles, and avoiding contact with another person's body fluids.
The risk of HIV is
increased by:
- An increased number of sexual partners
- Intraveneous drug use
- Anal intercourse
- Any sex without condoms
- Use of alcohol or other drugs that tend to loosen inhibitions and make people less likely to use condoms
- Tattoos and bodwith contaminated needles or instruments
2. Discuss the topic of HIV with your children.
Don't let
embarrassment stop you. Get inspired by the AIDS ads that appear when you watch
TV with your kids. Ask them if they have heard of this disease and what they
know about it. Studies show that up to 93% of children have already heard of
the condition by the time they are three years old.
3. Know your audience.
It is important to
provide age-appropriate information. To an eight-year-old child, you might say,
“AIDS is a disease that makes people very sick. It is caused by a virus called
HIV, which is a tiny microbe. An older child can absorb more detailed
information. Adolescents should be armed with information about how condoms can
prevent HIV transmission.
4. What to tell children about HIV
Let the children know
that:
- AIDS is most often fatal.
- Anyone can get AIDS. Kids and HIV may not seem like a problem, but many teens have been infected.
- Condoms can reduce the risk of getting AIDS.
- You can get AIDS from use of even one contaminated needle or one sexual act with a partner who has HIV/AIDS.
You may also want to
dispel some of these myths about HIV:
- HIV is not spread by insects.
- You cannot get HIV from toilet seats. None of the sexually transmitted infections are known to infect people via toilets.
- Oral sex is not completely safe sex. Many youths believe this, but oral sex -- especially oral-penile sex or oral anal contact -- might transmit the infection, as well as some other sexually transmitted infections.
- Blood from a simple cut that comes from a person with HIV is still infectious. The virus, though, is easy to kill with detergent or exposure to air.