About a thousand children are living in families with one or more people who are HIV positive or have AIDS, according to a report published by the HIV/AIDS support group, Cairde, writes Padraig O'Morain.
In some cases a child in the family is infected but may not know, it says. Families affected by the disease live with "stigma and secrecy" because of the prejudice, fear and ignorance with which it is viewed, the report says.
"As a result, many HIV positive people and their families are isolated from their extended families and their communities. In such circumstances, HIV is truly a `lonely disease'."
The report estimates the HIV/AIDS population at 2,625 to 3,125 people. About 500 are women, each with two children on average.
Public awareness campaigns are necessary to combat prejudice and ignorance about HIV and AIDS, according to Mr Paddy Connolly, director of Cairde.
"It seems incredible that almost 20 years into the existence of HIV/AIDS in Ireland the illness is still viewed with such ignorance and children and families not only have to cope with living with a terminal illness but also with the prejudice and indifference of society," he said.