Whether their risk of infection seems slight or significant, children and teenagers need to know about HIV and AIDS. By providing accurate information, you can satisfy their curiosity, reduce their fears, and help them to protect themselves.

Children can be affected by HIV and AIDS at any age. Teenagers may put themselves at risk or have friends they are concerned about. And younger children may have heard about it on television or from their friends, and wonder what it means to them.

What you should tell them depends on their age and activities, experience and interest. Sexually active 16 year olds and curious eight year olds both need information, but they won't want to know the same things. Their outlook will differ, too: While younger children may be afraid of AIDS, teens and older children often see themselves as invulnerable.

It also depends how much they already know. Do they have health or family life classes at school? Human sexuality education should be part of the curriculum from kindergarten to the end of high school. They should be learning about HIV and AIDS prevention, but you can't assume they are. Ask them what is being taught — or ask the school what resources are being used.

What should children know at various ages? Here are some suggestions:

Young Children (5 - 8 years)

Children this age have likely heard about AIDS, and may have questions or fears about it. Reassure them. Let them know they shouldn't worry about getting AIDS. Explain that AIDS is a sickness caused by a kind of germ, or virus, carried in some people's blood. But it's not like a cold. It's not easy to catch.

Try to find out what they already know, and explain that people with HIV/AIDS need compassion and friendship. At this — or any — age, dispel any myths they may have picked up. (No, it's not spread by mosquito bites or toilet seats, drinking fountains or swimming pools. And you can't get sick just by being around somebody with AIDS.)

Pre-teens (9 - 12 years)

With the changes of puberty, preteens start becoming more concerned about their bodies and their looks. Parents need to talk to them about sexuality, AIDS and drugs. Give them accurate information, using the correct words for different parts of the body.

Tell them what is meant by sexual intercourse, how HIV is spread, how to avoid risky behaviours and why taking drugs is dangerous. Preteens are old enough to understand what AIDS stands for: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. And what it means: that the cells that fight infections are not working. It is a serious, incurable disease but it can be prevented.

Teenagers (13 - 19 years)

This age group needs far more information, and in far more detail. Teenagers need to know that the best way to prevent HIV and AIDS is to avoid sexual intercourse and injection drug use. But they need to know about condoms and birth control, too, and how drugs and alcohol can affect their judgment.

Tell them about the high risk of sharing needles for injecting drugs, including steroids, or for ear piercing or tattoos. Make sure they understand that AIDS is not just a disease that affects gay men. It can affect anyone who engages in risky behaviours.

For conversation openers, try these:

• Ask your children what they've learned about AIDS at school, or if they ever think about it.

• Tell them about an article you've read or news report you heard.

• Leave a book or magazine article on HIV or AIDS around the house for them to read.

Listen carefully to what they say — and don't worry if you don't have all the answers. You can find out more about HIV/AIDS at your local library or health unit.

For other suggestions, check the 1995 Health Canada booklet, "We need to know about AIDS: A guide for parents talking with their children about AIDS," or AIDS-Proofing Your Kids: A Step-by-Step Guide by Loren Acker, Bram Goldwater and William Dyson (Silvio Mattacchione & Co. , 1992), for parents of teens. The "Learning About AIDS" workbook has quizzes and stories to help preteens gain a better understanding of AIDS.

All are available through the Canadian HIV/AIDS Clearinghouse, Canadian Public Health Association, 400-1565 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario K1Z 8R1.

Last updated: January 1997

The Funeral Directory would like to thank the Canadian HIV/AIDS Clearing House for kindly permitting us to use this information on our site.