Sexually Transmitted Diseases(STDs), HIV & AIDS JSS3 Physical & Health Education Lesson Note

Topic- Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are diseases that are spread through sexual intercourse. Many STDs affect both males and females. The germs that cause STD could be protozoa, fungi, or viruses

In Nigeria, syphilis and gonorrhea are common. Majority of the STDs can be cured if treated early, but AlDS cannot be cured once a person has been infected.

HIV means human immune-deficiency virus

AIDS means acquired immune deficiency syndrome

DEFINITION OF HIV

HIV- Human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] is a virus that lives in the human body and produces new copies of itself. It does not live in lower animals, insects, or water. It lives within the host and multiplies.

A virus is a very small germ that cannot be seen with the naked eye. Once HIV gets into the human body system it cannot be removed.

[Human immune deficiency virus] causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome [AIDS]

HIV attacks the immune system, weakens it, and exposes the body to infections. HIV is detected through the anti-bodies present in the body of the affected person

 DEFINITION OF AIDS

[AIDS] acquired immune deficiency syndrome, is a condition when the immune system In the body of a person has become weak or in effect given to the development of signs and symptoms [called syndrome].

When this happens, the doctors might decide to perform a series of tests for HIV.

 SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF AIDS

1.       Coughing for more than one month
2.       Itching skin itches, swollen glands at two or more sites
3.       Tiredness, fever that has refused to go away
4.       Rapid unexplained weight loss
5.       Diarrhea [on and off or all the time]
6.       Prolonged malaria
7.       Loss of appetite
8.       Blisters on the mouth or private parts

  MODES OF TRANSMISSION

1.       Through unprotected sex
2.       Through the infected mother to her baby
3.       Through sharp cutting objects e.g. Knives and razor blades
4.       Through infected blood

WAYS AIDS CAN NOT BE SPREAD OR TRANSMITTED

Aids cannot be spread or transmitted when you participate in the following

1.     Through eating
2.     Handshake
3.     Sharing clothes
4.     Swimming
5.       Sleeping with family members or others in the same room
6.       Sharing plates and cups
7.       Sharing toilets and bedrooms

 WAYS OF PREVENTING HIV/AIDS

1.       Avoid sex before marriage or refuse sex outside marriage
2.       Do not share needles or syringes with anyone
3.     Accept a blood transfusion only when the blood has been tested and declared safe from HIV
4.       Avoid sharing razor blades or other skin-cutting objects e.g. nail cutting, tribal markings, dressing, and circumcision
5.       Always make use of hand gloves while treating a patient’s injury
6.     Attend the hospital for testing and counseling if you are worried about AIDs
7.       Attend clinics and hospitals for testing and counseling if you are worried about AIDS especially when planning to marry
8.       Do not be pregnant if you are an HIV/AIDS patient
9.       Wear plastic gloves when treating a patient’s injury
10.     Treat and cover with a waterproof dressing any wound sustained by the patient with AIDS
11.     Provide persons living with AIDS spiritual counseling and pray for them

 EFFECTS/CONSEQUENCES OF CONTRACTING HIV/AIDs ON AN INDIVIDUAL 

1.       Weakens the body cell
2.       Damages the body system
3.       Causes untimely death
4.       Damages the nervous system
5.       Doesn’t allow the body to fight infections in the body
6.       Brings about chronic diarrhea

Assignment

1. Give the full meaning meaning of HIV, STI, STDs & AIDS
2. Mention four signs and symptoms of AIDs        
3. Outline four ways of helping people infected with AIDs
4. State three effects of HIV/AIDs