What does HIV and AIDS stand for?

Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

What happens when you get these diseases?

HIV attacks the immune system, resulting in a chronic, progressive illness that
leaves infected people vulnerable to opportunistic infections and cancers.

How is HIV transmitted?

engaging in unprotected sexual intercourse (anal or vaginal)

sharing sex toys

sharing needles or equipment for injecting drugs or steroids

mother-to-child transmission during pregnancy, delivery, and breast-feeding

Why is HIV so difficult to treat or develop preventions for?

There is no cure for the HIV infection. Treatments, known as antiretrovirals, only
suppress the virus replication in the body and disrupt the action of the virus.

Which groups of people are most at risk today?

populations most affected by HIV and AIDS - people living with HIV and AIDS, gay
men, Aboriginal peoples, people who use injection drugs, prison inmates, women,
youth at risk, and people from countries where HIV is endemic.

Go to one of the reports on AIDS. Describe two things in the report that you
did not know before about AIDS.

HIV cannot be transmitted through: Giving blood

4. Go to the STIs web site and describe the symptoms of each of the following:
i) Chlamydia
Symptoms of infection for women can include:

vaginal discharge

burning sensation when urinating

pain in the lower abdomen, sometimes with fever and chills

pain during sex

vaginal bleeding between periods or after intercourse

Symptoms for men can include:

discharge from the penis

burning sensation when urinating

burning or itching at the opening of the penis

pain and/or swelling in the testicles

ii) Gonorrhea
For men who do experience symptoms, these may include:

a burning sensation when urinating

yellowish/white discharge from the penis

burning or itching at the opening of the penis

painful or swollen testicles

For women

a burning sensation when urinating

vaginal discharge

pain in the lower abdomen

pain during sex

vaginal bleeding between periods or after sex

iii) Herpes (Genital)

Women's symptoms can include:

sores inside or near the vagina, the cervix, on the external genitals, near the
anus, or on the thighs or buttocks

tender lumps in the groin (lymphadenopathy)

Men's symptoms can include:

sores on the penis, around the testicles, near the anus, or on the thighs or
buttocks

tender lumps in the groin (lymphadenopathy)

iv) Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

The abnormal cells become normal again and the infection is inactive or
cleared from your body by your immune system. However, it is possible that
an inactive infection can become active again, for reasons that aren't clearly
understood.

The abnormal cells slowly progress to cervical cancer.

v) Syphilis
In secondary syphilis, the symptoms can sometimes overlap with those of the
primary stage and vary considerably. They can include:

patchy hair loss

a rash on the soles of the feet, the palms of the hands, or elsewhere on the
body

fever

malaise

swollen glands

flat grayish-white sores in mouth and on genitals

5. How are each of the above treated or cured?

i) Chlamydia
is treated with antibiotics
ii) Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea can be treated with antibiotics
iii) Herpes (Genital)

iv) Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

There is no cure for HPV infections, but many of the symptoms are treatable.
v) Syphilis
Syphilis is diagnosed through a simple blood test and is easily treated with penicillin
or other antibiotics.

6. What are the consequences of each of these diseases?

i) Chlamydia
effects include scarring of the fallopian tubes, which can cause infertility and
increase the chance of potentially life-threatening ectopic or tubal pregnancies.
ii) Gonorrhea
Men can develop epididymitis, a painful inflammation in the tubes attached to the
testicles. If left untreated, it can on rare occasions lead to infertility.
If left untreated, both sexes are at risk of the infection spreading through the
bloodstream and infecting other parts of the body, including joints. This condition
can be life-threatening.
If a pregnant woman has gonorrhea, the infection can be passed to the baby in the
birth canal during delivery, causing blindness, joint infection, or a life-threatening
blood infection.
iii) Herpes (Genital)
Pain and discomfort are the main health effects of genital herpes, but the virus can
also cause emotional and social problems for those infected.
iv) Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
On rare occasions, genital herpes may cause serious complications such as
blindness and inflammation of the brain.
v) Syphilis
The tertiary stage that syphilis can do the most damage to the body, affecting the
brain, blood vessels, heart, and bones.
7. Find a RELIABLE source to describe the different types of hepatitis:

i) Hep A is a liver disease that is contracted most often through contaminated food
or water.
ii) Hep B is a liver disease that is more infectious than HIV and is spread through
infected blood and body fluids.
iii) Hep C is a very common liver disease throughout the world and is contracted
through infected blood.

8. What are the symptoms of hepatitis?

i) Hep A Loss of appetite
ii) Hep B fatigue
iii) Hep C mild fever

9. Describe the treatments or cures?

i) Hep A Rest. Many people with hepatitis A infection feel tired and sick and have
less energy.
ii) Hep B Liver transplant.
iii) Hep C Surgery
Surgery won't cure hepatitis C -- but some patients eventually need a liver
transplant.

l0. What are the consequences of each of the three types of hepatitis?
i) Hep A The hepatitis A virus is found in the stool of people with hepatitis A. It is
spread from person to person by putting something in your mouth that has been
contaminated with the stool of an infected person.
ii) Hep B Hepatitis B is a serious disease caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV).
Infection with this virus can cause scarring of the liver, liver failure, liver cancer, and
even death.
iii) Hep C You get the hepatitis C virus from the blood or body fluids of an infected
person.