Telling your family

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 some others decide to tell nobody in their family about their HIV. Some people tell some or all their family members that they have HIV 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. As with all other circumstances, there are pros and cons about telling family members. These are things you are likely to need to consider for yourself, or to talk through with someone you trust, someone at your clinic or a confidential helpline such as THT Direct on 0845 12 21 200.