Aim: to describe the relationship of adolescents that live with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and their self-care practices. Method: This is a descriptive study, based on the Orem's Self-care General Theory, performed with nine adolescents, patients of the Sexually Transmitted Diseases ward of a hospital located in the city of Fortaleza, Brazil. The interpretation of this study was based on the analysis of the content found. Results: Family support, health professionals and friends, mass media and intrinsic motivation were mentioned as self-care stimulus. The barriers found were prejudice and shame, ineffective adaptation and lack of information. Discussion: Through the education in health as assisting practice of this context, it is possible to promote strategies of specific self-care inside the sociocultural environment of the adolescents. Conclusion: It is a duty to health professionals, especially the nurses, to join efforts in order to improve the strategies that aim to engage HIV-positive adolescents in the use of self-care practices.