Telling your family and friends

Telling your family that you have HIV can open up a wonderful source of support. It's good to know that many people with HIV are loved, cherished and supported by their families.

Some people tell all their family that they have HIV, others tell only a few trusted family members, and others decide to tell nobody in their family. Some people tell their family immediately after their diagnosis, whereas others take time to do this, or never disclose. It depends on circumstances and the type of relationship you have with your family.

It is good to have somebody close to you to confide in when you are upset, confused, angry, or need to talk things through. You may well have a friend who you instinctively know you can trust to tell that you have HIV and to look to for support. But it’s still a good idea to take time to consider telling them. Think about how they may react when you tell them, and about what their reaction would be if they found out from another source if you hadn’t told them.

Remember, friends might talk amongst themselves or to other people about your health. It’s important to make it clear to them if you want them to keep information about your HIV to themselves.