HIV/AIDS Education by Leafreedya Smith

Introduction In 2003, an estimated 1,039,000 to 1,185,000people in the United States were living with HIV/AIDS. With these statistics alone there is a major need to address HIV/AIDS in our schools.

Purpose of HIV/AIDS Education   The three main purposes for HIV/AIDS education include the following.   To prevent future infections.   To improve the quality of life for those who are already infected with HIV by enabling and empowering them to improve their quality of life.   To reduce the stigma and discrimination by reducing myths and misconceptions related to this virus.

Purpose   This project will provide students with the necessary skills to decrease the spread this disease by familiarizing students with the basic facts regarding this disease. The project will provide students with the following information:   The definition of HIV/AIDS   The difference between HIV/AIDS   How the disease is transmitted   How to protect oneself against the disease   Myths and misconceptions related to this disease

HIV   HIV is the human immunodeficiency virus that causes AIDS.   A member of a group of viruses called retroviruses, HIV infects human cell and uses the energy and nutrients provided by those cells to grow and reproduce

AIDS   AIDS is a disease in which the body’s immune system breaks down and is unable to fight off opportunistic infections.   HIV/AIDS is not partial to any particular socio- economic class and is a growing concern.

Spread of HIV/AIDS HIV and AIDS are spread by:   blood to blood contact   sharing needles or having transfusions   a mother to her un-born baby   sexual interaction

Myths/Misconceptions HIV cannot be spread by sharing a computer, telephone, office equipment, or pencils with someone who has HIV.

Websites   est.htm est.htm   dex.html dex.html 

Conclusion Teaching HIV/AIDS addresses sensitive issues that must be addressed in order to lower the number of people who are infected and die annually. By discussing this issue of HIV/AIDS this should result in a positive change in behaviors for students to protect themselves. HIV/AIDS prevention means using every effective weapon to stop new infections from occurring.