1. Grade 7 Topic 3
HIV / AIDS

2. What is HIV? H uman I mmunodeficiency V irus
The virus that slowly destroys the immune system, causing AIDS
HIV positive (HIV+) means the virus has entered the body
The person doesn’t know it, the person looks and feels healthy
BUT – can spread the virus to other people

3. What is AIDS? A cquired I mmuno D eficiency S yndrome
Result of having been HIV+ for a long time
Immune system is severely damaged
Person looks and feels very sick
Person eventually dies

4. HIV is not a disease that you “catch” like the flu or common cold.
HIV is NOT spread by:
Everyday contact with people
Going to school and being friends with a person who is HIV+
Shaking hands, hugging, kissing
Touching doorknobs, toilet seats, telephones, dishes, towels, etc.
Crying, coughing, sneezing
Sharing food or a drink with someone who is HIV+
Mosquito and other insect bites
Dogs, cats, pets
Swimming pools or gym equipment
HIV is not a disease that you “catch” like the flu or common cold.

5. HIV is spread through The exchange of body fluids Semen Vaginal fluids
Blood
Breastmilk

6. Transmission of HIV Sexual Intercourse
With an HIV+ partner (vaginal, anal, or oral)
Infected Blood
through sharing HIV contaminated needles
Pregnancy
or breastfeeding by a HIV+ mother
Blood Transfusions
of HIV infected blood (very rare since 1985)

7. What are the symptoms of HIV?
May seem like the flu:
Fatigue
Fever
Aches and pains
Person probably recovers and may remain healthy for years.
Eventually symptoms return and become more persistent and prolonged.
Healthy periods get shorter; sick periods get longer.

8. HIV is Preventable! SEXUALLY Abstain One uninfected partner
Both partners get a health check first
Reduce number of sexual partners
Always use condoms

9. HIV is Preventable! BEWARE OF OTHER’S BLOOD Do not share needles
Do not share personal care articles
Be careful when doing first aid

10. How Much Do You Know?

11. True or False?

12. 1. AIDS is caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
True or False?
1. AIDS is caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
TRUE
AIDS is the late clinical stage of the disease when the immune system can no longer function well and protect the body against illnesses. This happens when HIV over a long period of time, weakens the immune system.

13. True or False?
A blood test can detect the presence of HIV antibodies in
the blood stream.
TRUE
A blood test can be ordered by or taken at:
Your doctor’s office
Any walk-in clinic
Sexual Health Centre

14. True or False? A positive HIV antibody test
means that a person has AIDS.
FALSE
It only means that the person has been infected by the virus. They may have no symptoms for 10 years or more.

15. True or False? A person who is HIV+ can infect
others even though he/she has
no symptoms.
TRUE
Someone who is HIV+ can infect others by sharing needles/syringes and through sexual intercourse.

16. True or False? HIV is as highly contagious as the common cold. FALSE
HIV is not transmitted casually. The infected blood, semen or vaginal secretions have to be put inside the body.

17. True or False? Shaking hands with a person
who is HIV+ will increase your
risk of getting AIDS.
FALSE
You cannot get AIDS by any casual contact with an infected person.

18. 7. A person who is HIV+ feels sick.
True or False?
7. A person who is HIV+ feels sick.
FALSE
A person who is HIV+ may not feel sick for 10 years or more.

19. True or False? The risk of HIV infection increases with the number of
sexual partners, male or female
that one has.
TRUE
The more partners one has, the greater the risk.

20. True or False? TRUE 9. There is no cure for AIDS.
There are new medications, which are helping people live longer and feel better.

21. True or False? increase your risk of becoming HIV+. TRUE
10. Sharing needles is one way to
increase your risk of becoming
HIV+.
TRUE
Blood is sticky and can be found inside the needle or syringe, even if it is not visible.

22. True or False? Condoms are 100% effective in protecting people against
HIV infection.
FALSE
Proper condom use reduces the risk against infection. However, condoms can fail – they may break or slip off. Condoms are not effective if not used correctly or stored properly, etc.

23. True or False? HIV is destroyed by a solution
of chlorine bleach and water
outside the body.
TRUE
The virus is unstable outside the body and can be killed with many common disinfectants.

24. List 5 ways that may help protect you from HIV infection.
Practice abstinence
Have one faithful uninfected sexual partner in your life
Both partners be tested before having sexual intercourse
Always use latex condoms
Practice universal precautions