If you are a student you may be thinking about telling a teacher, tutor or lecturer at your school, college or university that you are HIV positive.
This may be a good idea if you are frequently absent because you are unwell or because you care for a family member.
If your own or a family member’s HIV impacts on your education, it may be worth telling someone who can offer you support to complete your work and attend college as much as possible.
You are protected by the Equality Act if you have HIV, which means that if you tell someone at college they cannot discriminate against you and they have to keep your information confidential.
You might find it useful to get some advice from a specialist organisation such as Body and Soul or the Children's HIV Association (CHIVA) who provide advice and support to children or young people with HIV.
These are all important issues to consider when disclosing your HIV status to your school, college or university. In the end, the decision is up to you and your family. If you need any help, you can call THT Direct for support.