LESSON 4-6

 TSW explain why it’s sexually responsible to know the STD/HIV status of oneself and of a potential sexual partner  TSW list the steps involved in getting tested for HIV, other STD and pregnancy  TSW explain the importance of STD and HIV testing and counseling if sexually active  TSW identify local resources where teens can get tested for STD, HIV, and pregnancy  TSW access valid and reliable sexual health services

 Accurate  Anonymous  Antibodies  Confidential  Reliable  Reputable  Unbiased  Verified  Window period

Transition  On a piece of paper, write a few sentences about what you’d do if you thought you might have an STD.  What symptoms would you look for?  How would you feel?  Where would you go or whom would you talk to?

Motivate  Aidan and Lena have been together for 6 months and recently decided they wanted to make sex a part of their relationship. They’ve both been in sexual relationships before. They understand that there are risks that come with being sexually active and want to be sexually responsible.  What kinds of things do Aidan and Lena have to think about, talk about and do before they have sex together?

Read  Jess and Julian had been having sex for a few weeks before the relationship fizzed out. Afterward, Jess began to think that being with Julian hadn’t been such a wise thing to do. Jess went to some websites to learn more about HIV and other STDs and even took an online quiz. The quiz showed that some of the things Jess and Julian had done were risky for HIV and other STDs. Now Jess is really worried. The websites all say to get tested. Jess knows it’s the right thing to do, but has a lot of questions and feelings about it.

Ask and Discuss  How do you imagine Jess is feeling and why?  Based on what you know about HIV and other STDs, what is Jess risking by doing nothing?  Why is it important for Jess to find out his or her HIV and STD status? Summarize  Feelings – worry, embarrassment, fear, shame, sadness  Best thing to do – get tested before they had sex with each other  Consequences – serious health conditions, spreading the diseases to other people

 Each person in your group will read about a different kind of testing – HIV, STD, or pregnancy – and answer some questions about it. Then you’ll share the information you learned with the other members of your group and answer a final question together  Turn to page 28.  MYBIGCAMPUS – WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT TESTING

Review  How do they test to see if a person has HIV? How do they test to see if a person has another STD? How do they test for pregnancy?  How long does it take to get the results of an HIV test? Another STD test? A pregnancy test?  What’s the difference between anonymous and confidential testing?  What kind of counseling is provided with the various tests?  What do you think about teens getting tested for HIV, other STDs or pregnancy without parents’ consent?  Whom would you talk with if you thought you needed to be tested?  What are some reasons a person might not get tested even if he or she had participated in risky behaviors, such as having sex without a latex condom?

Ask and Discuss  What would you say to a friend who was sexually active but had never been tested for HIV or other STD?  How could you convince your friend of the importance of getting tested? Summarize  GETTING TESTED IS THE ONLY WAY YOU KNOW!!!  Reduce your risk of getting infected, take steps to get treated, protecting your partner

Explain  Health clinics and community outreach centers – offer testing, provide information, offer support, help on what to do next Ask and Discuss  How do you think the support of a caring and professional counselor could help a teen who was going through the testing process? Summarize  Counselors – negative test – how to stay negative, positive test – access treatment, offer support

Explain  Reasons why not? – don’t know where to go, how to find a clinic Create  Let’s brainstorm a list of people or places that might be resources for you if you had more questions about HIV, other STDs and pregnancy, or wanted to be tested.

People and Places:

Explain  IMPORTANT – MUST BE RELIABLE RESOURCES Ask and Discuss  How do you judge whether a resource is reliable?

Summarize  Look at where the resource comes from, must be trustworthy, verified, accurate and up-to-date Ask and Discuss  Can you think of some resource people turn to for information about sex and sexual health that might not be as reliable or accurate? Summarize  Not reliable and accurate info – pop media, website not sponsored by the govt or professional organization, trying to sell you something

Ask and Discuss  Why is it important to find reliable resources? Summarize  Lead to getting wrong info, making wrong decisions or choice

 You’ve been learning a lot of facts about pregnancy, HIV, and other STDs during these lessons.  In what ways has finding out more about the testing process added to your understanding of how to protect your own sexual health and the sexual health of any current or future sexual partner?