Sexually Transmitted Infections – JSS2 Home Economics Lesson Note (Second Term)

A sexually transmitted infection (STI), also called a sexually transmitted disease (STD), is an illness spread from one person to another through sexual contact. Examples are gonorrhoea, syphilis and HIV/AIDS. Some can be treated, but others cannot, and they can seriously damage the body and cause death.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

• explain what a sexually transmitted disease is;
• state the causes and symptoms of gonorrhoea and syphilis;
• describe how HIV is spread and the signs of HIV/AIDS;
• state the guidelines for caring for people with HIV/AIDS;
• explain self-medication and state its consequences.

What are sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)?

Sexual activity comes with risks of sexually transmitted diseases/infections (STDs/STIs), including HIV/AIDS. While some can be treated, others cannot. They can cause very serious damage to the body and even death. An STD is an illness spread from one person to another through sexual contact.

What are the types of STDs?

Gonorrhoea

Gonorrhoea is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It is spread through sexual contact between infected persons.

Symptoms

• Itching and discharge from the penis and vagina
• Painful urination
• It can cause infertility.
• If a pregnant woman has the disease, her child’s eyes may be affected at birth.

Treatment is with antibiotics.

Syphilis

Syphilis is caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. It is spread through sexual contact between infected persons.

Symptoms

• Sores on the sex organs
• Fever, aches, rashes and hair loss
• At later stages, it affects the heart, eyes and brain.
• It can lead to insanity and death.

Treatment is with antibiotics.

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

AIDS is one of the most frightening of all STDs. It is caused by a virus called Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).

• HIV enters the body of a person and kills the cells of the immune system.
• HIV makes the body weak and less able to fight sickness.
• People with HIV in their bodies go on to become sick with AIDS.
• AIDS results in death.

How can HIV be spread?

1. Having sex with someone who already has HIV
2. Transfusion of infected blood
3. Use of a needle or blade that has been used on a person with HIV and not sterilised afterwards
4. Women with HIV can pass it to their babies. The baby becomes infected in any of these three ways:
   • while in the mother’s womb
   • at birth
   • through the breast milk (breastfeeding)

What are the signs of HIV/AIDS?

• People with HIV/AIDS suffer sicknesses like fever, rashes and diarrhoea.
• They also lose weight.
• Death is the final result.

How is HIV/AIDS treated?

• At the moment, there is no known cure for HIV/AIDS.
• There are, however, medicines that can help infected persons to fight off the sickness that comes with HIV/AIDS.
• Antiretroviral drugs and other medicines can help people with HIV/AIDS to feel much better and to live longer.

What are the guidelines for caring for people with HIV/AIDS?

• Provide a home where there is peace, rest, love and acceptance.
• Help them with household work so that they can have enough rest.
• Encourage them to eat nutritious food.
• Give them love and support.
• Share their financial burden.
• Wash their clothes and pay them regular visits.

What is self-medication?

Self-medication is when a person who is sick prescribes a drug for himself or herself, or gets someone who is not a qualified professional to do so.

Consequences of self-medication

1. The person’s self-diagnosis may be wrong, so the wrong drug may be bought for the illness.
2. The person may take the wrong dosage of the drug even when the drug is suitable for the illness.
3. There may be serious side effects of a given drug.
4. There may be complications of the disease being treated.
5. It can lead to other serious health conditions.
6. It can lead to body resistance to misused drugs.
7. It can lead to a longer period of sickness.
8. It can lead to death.

Evaluation

• State the symptoms of syphilis and gonorrhoea.
• State four ways by which STIs and HIV/AIDS could be contracted.
• Explain the guidelines for caring for an infected person.
• State the consequences of self-medication.

Assignment

1. Name the virus that causes AIDS and state three signs of HIV/AIDS.
2. State four consequences of self-medication.