| Summary: | Disclosure of HIV status is an important part of the process of living with HIV, and is crucial to continuum of HIV care. Disclosure decisions are particularly complex when children are involved because of concern about children's emotional and aptitudinal ability to understand and cope with the nature of the illness, stigma, family relations and concerns about social support. Parents and caregivers are often uncertain how to counsel about disclosure, and opportunities to provide HIV testing and care, and to help families start the discussion about living with HIV are often missed. WHO has developed this guidance for healthcare workers on how to support children 12 years of age and younger, and their caregivers, on disclosure of HIV status. The guidance is intended as part of a comprehensive approach to the physical, emotional, cognitive and social well-being of a developing child following the child's own diagnosis of HIV or that of a parent of close caregiver
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