HIV/AIDS(I) – JSS1 Basic Science Lesson Note (Second Term)

HIV means Human Immunodeficiency Virus, and AIDS means Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. It attacks the body’s immune defence system and breaks it down. AIDS is a deadly disease with no cure yet, but it can be prevented by avoiding the ways in which the virus is passed on.

Behavioural objectives

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

1. Give the full meaning of HIV and AIDS.
2. State the difference between HIV and AIDS.
3. List ways by which HIV can be transmitted.
4. List symptoms of HIV and AIDS.
5. State ways of preventing HIV and AIDS.

What do HIV and AIDS mean?

HIV means Human Immunodeficiency Virus, while AIDS means Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. HIV/AIDS is a deadly disease that has no cure yet. The virus, HIV, is the cause of AIDS. This virus attacks the body’s immune defence system and breaks it down.

What is the difference between HIV and AIDS?

HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. A person who is HIV positive has the virus in the body. A person who is HIV negative does not have the virus. AIDS is the disease that develops when the virus has weakened the immune system. Thus, HIV is the causative agent of the disease called AIDS.

How are HIV and AIDS transmitted?

The following are some of the ways by which HIV/AIDS can be transmitted:

• Sexual intercourse
• Use of contaminated sharp objects
• Transfusion of infected blood
• Use of infected injection needles and syringes
• Piercing the body (e.g. ear-piercing, circumcision, tribal marks)
• From an infected mother to her baby

What are the symptoms of HIV and AIDS?

1. Weight loss
2. Fever
3. Frequent tiredness
4. Diarrhoea
5. Cold sores all over the body
6. Swollen glands

How can HIV and AIDS be prevented?

1. Abstinence
2. Avoid sharing sharp objects
3. Do not have unprotected sex
4. Avoid having multiple sexual partners

Evaluation

1. Give the full meaning of the following:
   HIV: ___________________________________
   AIDS: __________________________________
2. Which one is the virus, HIV or AIDS?
3. List four ways by which HIV can be transmitted.
4. State three symptoms of HIV and AIDS.

Assignment

List four ways of preventing HIV and AIDS.