Description

Should you tell your parents if you have been diagnosed with an STD, or sexually transmitted disease?

Transcript

David: Hi! My name is David from Boston. I've been diagnosed with an STD. My parents and I never talk about sex. Do they even have to know about it? Sharon Hirsch: David, I am sorry that you have contracted a STD, a Sexually Transmitted Disease. Certainly, it can be very helpful to engage your parents during your treatment if they are supportive. Sometimes parents react negatively to their children having this kind of disease, unfortunately and it maybe very stressful. I would urge you to get them involved as much as you can. If you're still on their insurance, obviously, they are going to know that you are getting treatment because they may see those bills, so there may not be much of the choice. If you don't have to report it to them, this is confidential, your doctors are not allowed by law to release anything that's confidential, and so there is no loss then you've to release it to your parents. However, if you do have people that you have had sex with or had intimate relations with, then you may bylaw be required to tell them. Your doctors can help you do that anonymously.