1. Preventing and Treating STIs and HIV / AIDS
Chapter 24

2. Treatment and Prevention
What is the most successful way to prevent STIs?
To help stay committed to abstinence:
Set personal limits on physical affection
Avoid dating someone who is sexually active or who pressures you to go beyond your limits
Avoid situations where you feel pressured to engage in sexual activity
Choose group outings where you can enjoy the company of friends and avoid pressure to engage in sexual activity
Be clear about your decision to practice abstinence; practice refusal skills
Avoid people who make fun of your decision or urge high-risk behaviors

3. Understanding the Risk
Each month, about 750,000 teens are diagnosed with STIs
High-risk age group because:
Teens are not aware of the information
Teens feel embarrassed to discuss sex
Many teens are unaware of a partner’s past behavior

4. Avoiding High-Risk Behavior
Avoiding these high-risk behaviors can help prevent STIs:
Being sexually active with more than one person
Engaging in unprotected sex
Engaging in sexual activity with high-risk partners
Using alcohol and other drugs

5. Lab HIV Tests
EIA Test Enzyme Immunoassay: A test that screens for the presence of HIV antibodies in the blood
If the first test comes back positive, a second test is performed
If the second test is positive’ a Western blot test is run; both are more than 98% accurate
Western Blot Test: A test that detects HIV antibodies and confirms the results of EIA testing

6. Additional Tests
A rapid test is an HIV test that produces results in only 20 minutes
May be used in situations where the infected person might not come back to learn the results
Results are fairly accurate but considered preliminary
If positive, a Western blot is performed

7. Home Testing Kits Marketed in the internet and in paper media
Most are not trustworthy, particularly if they claim to provide results in a short time in your hope
Check to make sure it is approved by the FDA
An FDA approved test requires providing a spot of dried blood, which is then mailed to a lab for testing
Results are more than 99% accurate and are available within two weeks

8. Benefits of Early Diagnosis
Benefits include:
Begin proper medical care early to slow the progress of the virus
Avoid behaviors that could spread HIV to others
Gain peace of mind when the results are negative

9. Treating HIV / AIDS
Drugs have been developed since the 1980s that slow the growth of the human immunodeficiency virus and treat some symptoms
No drug exists yet that cures HIV / AIDS