Grade 7 Topic 3Grade 7 Topic 3

HIV / AIDSHIV / AIDS

What is HIV?H umanI mmunodeficiencyV irus

• The virus that slowly destroys the immune system, causing AIDS

• HIV positive (HIV+) means the virus has entered the body

• The person doesn’t know it, the person looks and feels healthy

• BUT – can spread the virus to other people

What is AIDS?

A cquired

I mmuno

D eficiency

S yndrome

• Result of having been HIV+ for a long time• Immune system is severely damaged• Person looks and feels very sick• Person eventually dies

HIV is NOT spread by:

• Everyday contact with people• Going to school and being friends with a person who is HIV+• Shaking hands, hugging, kissing• Touching doorknobs, toilet seats, telephones, dishes, towels,

etc.• Crying, coughing, sneezing• Sharing food or a drink with someone who is HIV+• Mosquito and other insect bites• Dogs, cats, pets• Swimming pools or gym equipment

HIV is not a disease that you “catch” like the flu or common cold.

HIV is spread through

• The exchange of body fluids

• Semen• Vaginal fluids• Blood• Breastmilk

Transmission of HIV

Sexual Intercourse

With an HIV+ partner (vaginal, anal, or oral)

Infected Blood

through sharing HIV contaminated needles

Pregnancy

or breastfeeding by a HIV+ mother

Blood Transfusionsof HIV infected blood (very rare since 1985)

What are the symptoms of HIV?

May seem like the flu:• Fatigue• Fever• Aches and pains

Person probably recovers and may remain healthy for years.

Eventually symptoms return and become more persistent and prolonged.

Healthy periods get shorter; sick periods get longer.

HIV is Preventable!

• SEXUALLY

Abstain

One uninfected partner

Both partners get a health check first

Reduce number of sexual partners

Always use condoms

HIV is Preventable!

• BEWARE OF OTHER’S BLOOD

Do not share needles

Do not share personal care articles

Be careful when doing first aid

How Much Do You How Much Do You Know?Know?

True or False?True or False?

True or False?

1. AIDS is caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).

TRUE

True or False?

2. A blood test can detect the presence of HIV antibodies in

the blood stream.

TRUE

True or False?

3. A positive HIV antibody test

means that a person has AIDS.

FALSE

True or False?

4. A person who is HIV+ can infect

others even though he/she has

no symptoms.

TRUE

True or False?

5. HIV is as highly contagious as

the common cold.

FALSE

True or False?

6. Shaking hands with a person

who is HIV+ will increase your

risk of getting AIDS.

FALSE

True or False?

7. A person who is HIV+ feels sick.

FALSE

True or False?

8. The risk of HIV infection

increases with the number of

sexual partners, male or female

that one has.

TRUE

True or False?

9. There is no cure for AIDS.

TRUE

True or False?

10. Sharing needles is one way to

increase your risk of becoming

HIV+.

TRUE

True or False?

11. Condoms are 100% effective

in protecting people against

HIV infection.

FALSE

True or False?

12. HIV is destroyed by a solution

of chlorine bleach and water

outside the body.

TRUE

List 5 ways that may help protect you from HIV infection.

1. Practice abstinence2. Have one faithful uninfected sexual

partner in your life3. Both partners be tested before having

sexual intercourse4. Always use latex condoms5. Practice universal precautions