School Health Education to Prevent AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) : Teachers' Guide (UNESCO - WHO, 1994, 117 p.): Unit 1. Basic knowledge on HIV/AIDS/STD: 14 How do you know if you have HIV/AIDS?

School Health Education to Prevent AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) : Teachers' Guide (UNESCO - WHO, 1994, 117 p.)

Unit 1. Basic knowledge on HIV/AIDS/STD

		(introduction...)
		1 HIV/AIDS/STD basic questions and answers - What is HIV/AIDS/STD?
		2 Looking into AIDS - Fun test on HIV/AIDS/STD
		3 HIV/AIDS/STD - What do they mean? - Definitions of HIV/AIDS/STD
		4 How a person gets HIV - Information on transmission
		5 You can’t get AIDS by... - Ways HIV is not transmitted
		6 What do you believe? - Short test on transmission
		7 What would you do? - Case studies on transmission
		8 What is your risk? - Evaluating risk behaviours
		9 Are you at risk (part 1)
		Are you at risk (part 2)
		Are you at risk (part 3) - Evaluating risk behaviours and accumulated risks
		10 Protect yourself against AIDS - Information sheet on protection
		11 Dear Doctor Sue - Letters on protection
		12 Which is safer? - Evaluating ways of protection
		13 What happens with HIV infection? - Information on signs and symptoms
		14 How do you know if you have HIV/AIDS? - Case studies on signs and symptoms
		15 Testing for HIV - Basic information on testing
		16 Test: What you know about testing - Short test on testing for HIV
		17 AIDS help - Who? Where? - Where help can be found
		18 You be the doctor - Case studies on drug use
		19 Are you a responsible person? - Behavioural intent questions on personal responsibility

14 How do you know if you have HIV/AIDS? - Case studies on signs and symptoms

Purpose	It is important for students to know that a person with HIV:
	· May have no signs or symptoms for a long time.
	· Can infect others during this time.
	· Gradually gets sicker and sicker and eventually dies.

What the teacher does

1. Decide how to teach this activity.

a) Provide each student with an activity sheet and have them do the activity individually or in pairs, following the instructions on the sheet.
b) Read the three stories to the students and ask the questions under each story (only one sheet is needed for the whole class).
c) Divide the class into small groups each of which reads one story and answers questions (only one sheet for each group is needed).

2. Review the information from activity 13 - unit 1.

3. Take up the questions under each story. The answers are provided below:

· Story 1

Questions	Answers
1) How did Roberto become infected?	Used unsterilized needles to inject cocaine.
2) How did Carmencita become infected?	By having unprotected sexual intercourse.
3) Why does Carmencita have no symptoms?	People with HIV may not have symptoms for many years.
4) How long might it be before she gets AIDS?	It can be as long as 10 or more years, or as short as 6 months.
5) What should Carmencita do now?	She should get counselling for support, including advice on lifestyle and sexual behaviour.

· Story 2

Questions	Answers
1) How did Jose become infected?	Sex with no condoms; multiple partners.
2) Why does he have these symptoms?	They often occur as the earliest symptoms of AIDS.
3) Can he spread HIV to others? How?	Yes. By having unprotected sexual intercourse by sharing unclean needles and syringes
4) What is likely to happen next?	He will probably get sicker and sicker.

· Story 3

Questions	Answers
1) Why would you suspect that Georginia has AIDS?	She has many symptoms of AIDS.
2) What should she do to find out if she is infected with HIV?	Get tested, see a doctor or nurse.
3) About what age was it possible that Georginia got the HIV infection?	From approximately 14 years onwards.
4) If she was infected at that age, how long has she been infectious (able to spread HIV)?	Up to 11 years.
5) What symptoms does Georginia have?	Fever, sweating, swollen glands, cough sore throat, stomach problems, weight loss
6) What is likely to happen next?	She will probably die.

Additional preparation

· Be sure to review the answers to the questions (above).

· Again, this activity may create some anxiety in students. Teachers should be prepared to listen and provide sources of help if needed.