SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS AND AIDS CHAPTER 22

CHOOSE ABSTINENCE The Risks of Sexual Activity Sexually transmitted infection- Any pathogen that spreads from one person to another during sexual contact. Approximately 20 Million new cases of STI’s in the United States each year. About half of those occur in people between the ages of 15 and 24.

SHORT AND LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF STI’S Short-term Pain/discomfort Embarrassment Long-term Increased risk of certain cancers Infertility

STI EPIDEMIC IN OUR COUNTRY WHY? Ignoring Risks Puts a person at risk for STI’s Think “It can’t happen to me” but reality is that it CAN! Multiple Partners Increases the chances of getting STI’s Not Seeking Treatment Increases chances of spreading to others

AVOIDING STI’S a.Practice abstinence b.Avoid alcohol and other drugs so that you can think clearly c.Choose responsible friends who can help you resist peer pressure

THE MOST COMMON STI’S a.Trichomoniasis b.HPV or Human Papilloma Virus c.Chlamydia d.Hepatitis e.Gonorrhea f.Genital Herpes g.Syphillis

TREATMENT Someone who suspects he or she has a STI should: a.Refrain from sexual activity b.See a doctor for an exam or blood test c.Start treatment immediately d.Finish all prescribed medication

HIV AND AIDS The most serious STI is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus, commonly called HIV. HIV infection can lead to AIDS or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome which is often a fatal disease of the immune system. HIV attacks specific cells in the immune system, disabling the body’s defenses against other pathogens.

THREE STAGES OF HIV INFECTION After a person is diagnosed with HIV, doctors monitor the progress of an HIV infection by counting the number of helper T cells that remain active in the body. HIV moves through three stages: a.Asymptomatic stage- An infected person experiences no outward signs for many years. The virus destroys T cells. b.Symptomatic stage- An infected person starts to show symptoms that may include weight loss, fever, diarrhea, or fungal infections. c.AIDS- An infected person experiences more severe symptoms, has a very low number of helper T cells and is more susceptible to infections. Opportunistic infections- Infections that attack a person with a weakened immune system. Ex: TB, fungal infections, lung disease, cancer As AIDS progresses, it can attack the brain and nervous system causing blindness, depression and mental deterioration.

TRANSMISSION OF HIV HIV can be transmitted by any form of sexual contact that involves an infected person’s body fluids. Shared needles- Needles can be contaminated with infected blood. Contact with blood- Cuts or open sores. Mother to baby - Pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding.

GLOBAL PROBLEM HIV and AIDS rates are increasing most quickly in the continents Africa and Asia. There are international organizations that are working to combat HIV and AIDS around the world. The two main goals of these organizations are: a.Education about the risks b.Treatment and medications for those infected

PREVENTING HIV AND AIDS Practice abstinence- Avoid sexual activity, go out in groups to avoid high pressure situations. Avoid drugs- Risk of contaminated syringes, can cloud your thinking. Avoid contact with blood and body fluids- Never share personal items that may have blood or other body fluids on them.

TESTING FOR HIV  The only way a person can know for certain whether or not he or she is infected with HIV is to have a blood test.  In an HIV test, a person’s blood is tested fro antibodies to HIV. If Antibodies are detected, a second test should be done to verify the results. A person who is diagnosed as being infected with HIV is said to be HIV-positive. That person should notify all partners so they can be tested. If an HIV infection is recent, the blood test may not be accurate. Antibodies usually show up within three months after infection. So If no Antibodies are detected, that person should avoid all high risk behavior and get tested again in 3 months.

TREATMENT FOR HIV AND AIDS The main goal of HIV treatment is to keep the person’s immune system functioning as close to normal as possible. To achieve this goal, the treatment must a.Keep the person’s viral load as low as possible b.Keep the person’s T cell count as high as possible

FIVE HEALTHFUL BEHAVIORS THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE HIV-POSITIVE SHOULD PRACTICE 1.Eat right and exercise 2.Get plenty of sleep 3.See a doctor regularly 4.Avoid high-risk behaviors 5.Avoid others who have colds or the flu file://localhost/Users/nicole.slaven/Documents/msdhHI Vrate2013.pdf