The objective of this study was to identify strategies of living with HIV in the life histories of HIV-positive mothers and children. It uses the qualitative approach and the Life History as a source of data collection. The subjects were three HIV-positive mothers within the context of a Day-Hospital in Florianópolis - SC - Brazil. Based on the Bardin's thematic analysis, three categories emerged: childhood, adolescence, and maturity memories. The results pointed out strategies developed by the mothers for living with HIV, among which were family, religious, prevention, and support. It also pointed out strategies developed for living with an HIV-positive child, such as as medical treatment, revealing the diagnosis to the child, daily care, and others. We concluded that these strategies developed/adapted by the mothers in living with HIV itself and the child were influenced by their cultures and experiences throughout their life history.
HIV; Mother child-relations; Nursing; History