Telling Others You Are HIV Positive

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Telling Your Child's School That Your Child is HIV Positive

You have probably heard horror stories about children who were kicked out of school, taunted or worse when their HIV status became known. Telling others about your child's HIV infectionis nothing to rush into. However, it may be in your child's best interest to work with certain professionals from his or her school.

You'll want to schedule a meeting with the school's principal to ensure that the school has a good HIV policy in place, identify those who should be informed, and establish a working relationship between yourself and the school. Then, set up a second meeting with the principal, school nurse, and your child's classroom teacher.

Remind those you meet with that your child's HIV infection is confidential information by law and that improper disclosure could be answered with a lawsuit, which no one wants to see. Ask for an explanation of the school's policy on HIV and obtain a written copy. Find out what education has taken place or is planned to reduce the chances of negative responses in case word gets out there's an HIV-positive student in the school. Ask what steps will be taken to assure your child's confidentiality.

The school nurse should discreetly follow your child's progress, monitor side effects of medications needed during school days, and inform you when there is an outbreak of infectious disease. An informed teacher can reinforce developmental goals established for your child, keep an eye out for medication-related side effects, and observe and report possible physical or emotional problems.

Both you and the school need to be prepared for the possibility that others will learn about your child's HIV. In-service training for school staff and parents, along with age-appropriate education for students will help create a supportive environment. In the Chicago Public School system, the only criteria for exclusion from school are large open sores that can't be covered or aggressive behaviors that have the potential to spread HIV, such as biting. (However, to date, not a single person has been reported to have gotten HIV as a result of biting or having been bitten.) Your child also may be advised to remain out of school temporarily for his or her own protection if there are outbreaks of measles, chicken pox, mumps, or other dangerous infectious diseases. Children excluded from school or unable to attend because of health conditions are entitled to have a teacher assigned in the home.

Last updated: 10/05

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