Special Considerations: Pediatric to Adolescent Care Transitions

Parents' Fear of Behaviorally Infected HIV Patients

• Caregivers for perinatally infected youth are often afraid that their patients will receive "bad influences" from associating in clinic settings with older, behaviorally infected adolescents. As with any parental concern, it is important to understand and address these fears honestly, in order to maintain an alliance with both the family and the adolescent. Often, this fear is based on the parents' concerns about their own child's sexuality and growing independence. The parents should be encouraged to share their values and concerns with both the providers and their child.