Unit Two
Lesson Four
HIV and STIs
Lesson Overview
In this activity students learn about the types, symptoms,
transmission methods and treatments for various STIs,
and are made aware of how easily and comprehensively
they can spread.
• Engaging in sexual activity puts one at risk of becoming
infected with an STI.
• The only 100 percent effective way to avoid STI infection is to NOT engage in sexual activities.
Key Points
Lesson Objectives
• STIs travel very easily from one person to the next.
After completing this lesson, students should be able to:
• A person may not have noticeable symptoms but still
have an STI.
• Understand the communicable nature of STIs
• Describe the symptoms, treatment, and method of
transmission for at least three STIs
• Identify whether a given STI is a virus or bacterium
Lesson at a Glance
Activity
FOCUS: STI
Network
Materials
• Index cards – 1 per student
Preparation
• Obtain enough index cards for each student to have
one card.
Approximate
Class Time
10 minutes
• Place a red mark in the lower corner of one of the
cards
LEARN: STI
Game
• STI and HIV Facts handout
SUMMARIZE:
Section Quiz
• Sexuality, Responsibilities of Sexual Activity and
the Benefits of Abstinence Section Quiz
• STI Game Questions
• Print/photocopy the STI and HIV Facts handout or
print from the CDC website
30 minutes
• Print/photocopy the section quiz: Sexuality,
Responsibilities of Sexual Activity and the Benefits of
Abstinence, one per student
5 minutes
Education Standards Supported
National Family and Consumer Science Standards: Reasoning for Action 1-4
National Health Standards: 1.12.5, 1.12.6, 1.12.8, 1.12.9, 3.12.2-3.12.4, 5.12.2, 5.12.3, 5.12.5-5.12.7, 7.12.1-7.12.3
1022210-01A
2.4-163
4
Unit Two—Lesson Four
HIV and STIs
FOCUS: STI Network
10 minutes
Purpose:
Materials:
This activity demonstrates to students how comprehensively STIs spread.
• Index cards – one per student, place a small dot in a
corner of just one of the cards to be handed out.
Instructor Information:
From ASHA: ashastd.org/learn/learn_statisitics.vs.cfm
Diseases that are spread through sexual contact are usually referred to as “sexually transmitted diseases”—STDs
for short. In recent years, however, many experts in this
area of public health have suggested replacing STD with
a new term—sexually transmitted infection, or STI.
Why? The concept of “disease,” as in STD, implies a clear
medical problem, usually some obvious signs or symptoms.
But in truth several of the most common STDs have no
signs or symptoms in the majority of persons infected.
Or they have mild signs and symptoms that can be easily
overlooked. So the sexually transmitted virus or bacteria
can be described as creating “infection,” which may or
may not result in “disease.” This is true of chlamydia,
gonorrhea, herpes, and human papillomavirus (HPV),
to name a few.
For this reason, in some of the published literature, the
term “disease” is being replaced by “infection.”
Facilitation Steps:
1. Just before class privately ask one student not to participate in the activity. Do not give this student a card.
6. Ask the students who have this person’s name on their
card to stand up.
2. Open the activity by writing STI and STD on the
board. Ask students if they know what these acronyms
stand for. Explain the difference in the use of the terms
STI vs STD, using the instructor background information.
7. Ask the students who have names of any of the people
standing up on their card to stand up.
3. Hand out the cards to each student. Have students
draw an axis on their card to divide it into four quadrants. Explain that they are to go around and get four
signatures (one in each quadrant) on their card, from
four different people.
4. After everyone has four signatures, have students sit
down.
5. Ask the student with the card that has the dot to stand
up.
2.4-164
8. Continue this process until everyone (but the one
who did not participate) is standing.
• Note how quickly the STI spread from only one
person.
• Also point out that when someone has had multiple sex partners, the next person they have sex
with will be subjected to any STIs found in people
that person previously had sex with.
9. Point out that the student who did not participate in
the activity did not contract an STI.
4
Unit Two—Lesson Four
HIV and STIs
LEARN: STI and HIV Facts and Game
25 minutes
Purpose:
Materials:
Students play a game to learn about the types, symptoms,
transmission methods and treatments for various STIs.
• STI and HIV Facts handout, or Fact Sheets from the
CDC website
• STI Game Questions
• Prizes for winning team, such as piece of candy, if
desired.
Facilitation Steps:
1. Hand out the STIs and HIV Facts handout to each
student. If you would like to provide more detailed
information on each STI, go to the CDC website.
Enter STDs into the website’s search engine; a list of
the STIs appears. You can select the fact sheet for each
of these, and print them out.
2. Go through some of the facts for each type of STI,
addressing and questions students may have.
3. Divide the class into three teams. Assign 3 different
team names, such as X, Y, Z.
6. Use your method of choice to determine which team
gets to respond. Calling out their team name is one
idea. Slamming hands onto a desk is another.
7. Track team scores on the board.
• Have a prize available for the winning team.
• Feel free to modify how competitive this game is
based on your audience. You may also use fewer or
more teams.
4. Decide which team will go first.
5. Each team member will get to represent their team.
No team member should be able to select a topic more
than once in a row.
2.4-165
Unit Two—Lesson Four
HIV and STIs
2.4-166
Unit Two—Lesson Four
HIV and STIs
STI/STD and HIV Facts
From the Centers for Disease Control
Bacterial Vaginosis (BV): Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) is the name of a condition in women where the normal
balance of bacteria in the vagina is disrupted and replaced by an overgrowth of certain bacteria. It is sometimes
accompanied by discharge, odor, pain, itching, or burning.
Any woman can get BV, but you're at higher risk of getting it if: you have a new sex partner or multiple sex
partners.
Chlamydia: Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the bacterium, Chlamydia
trachomatis, which can damage a woman's reproductive organs. Young women are most vulnerable to this STD/
STI. Even though symptoms of chlamydia are usually mild or absent, serious complications that cause irreversible
damage, including infertility, can occur "silently" before a woman ever recognizes a problem. Chlamydia is known
as a "silent" disease because about three quarters of infected women and about half of infected men have no
symptoms. If symptoms do occur, they usually appear within 1 to 3 weeks after exposure. One dose treatments are
available to cure this STI.
In women, the bacteria initially infect the cervix and the urethra (urine canal). Women who have symptoms might
have an abnormal vaginal discharge or a burning sensation when urinating. When the infection spreads from the
cervix to the fallopian tubes (tubes that carry fertilized eggs from the ovaries to the uterus), some women still have
no signs or symptoms; others have lower abdominal pain, low back pain, nausea, fever, pain during intercourse, or
bleeding between menstrual periods. Chlamydial infection of the cervix can spread to the rectum.
Men with signs or symptoms might have a discharge from their penis or a burning sensation when urinating.
Men might also have burning and itching around the opening of the penis. Pain and swelling in the testicles are
uncommon.
Chlamydia can be transmitted during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Chlamydia can also be passed from an infected
mother to her baby during vaginal childbirth.
Gonorrhea: Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Gonorrhea is caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae,
a bacterium that can grow and multiply easily in the warm, moist areas of the reproductive tract, including the
cervix (opening to the womb), uterus (womb), and fallopian tubes (egg canals) in women, and in the urethra (urine
canal) in women and men. The bacterium can also grow in the mouth, throat, eyes, and anus. Symptoms in males
include a thick, yellow penile discharge.
Gonorrhea is spread through contact with the penis, vagina, mouth, or anus. Ejaculation does not have to occur for
gonorrhea to be transmitted or acquired. Gonorrhea can also be spread from mother to baby during delivery.
People who have had gonorrhea and received treatment may get infected again if they have sexual contact with a
person infected with gonorrhea. One dose treatments are available to cure this STI.
Genital herpes: Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the herpes simplex viruses type 1
(HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2). Most genital herpes is caused by HSV-2. Most individuals have no or only minimal
signs or symptoms from HSV-1 or HSV-2 infection. When signs do occur, they typically appear as one or more
blisters on or around the genitals or rectum. The blisters break, leaving tender ulcers (sores) that may take two to
four weeks to heal the first time they occur. Typically, another outbreak can appear weeks or months after the first,
but it almost always is less severe and shorter than the first outbreak. Although the infection can stay in the body
indefinitely, the number of outbreaks tends to decrease over a period of years. The anti-viral treatments include
Acyclovir, Famciclovir, and Valacyclovir.
2.4-167
Unit Two—Lesson Four
HIV and STIs
STI/STD and HIV Facts (cont.)
From the Centers for Disease Control
Syphilis: Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. It has
often been called “the great imitator” because so many of the signs and symptoms are indistinguishable from those
of other diseases. Syphilis is passed from person to person through direct contact with a syphilis sore. Sores occur
mainly on the external genitals, vagina, anus, or in the rectum. Sores also can occur on the lips and in the mouth.
Transmission of the organism occurs during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Pregnant women with the disease can pass it
to the babies they are carrying. Many people infected with syphilis do not have any symptoms for years, yet remain
at risk for late complications if they are not treated. Although transmission occurs from persons with sores who
are in the primary or secondary stage, many of these sores are unrecognized. Thus, transmission may occur from
persons who are unaware of their infection.
The primary stage of syphilis is usually marked by the appearance of a single sore (called a chancre), but there
may be multiple sores. The chancre is usually firm, round, small, and painless. It appears at the spot where syphilis
entered the body. The chancre lasts 3 to 6 weeks, and it heals without treatment. However, if adequate treatment
is not administered, the infection progresses to the secondary stage. A long-acting form of penicillin is required to
cure syphilis.
Skin rash and mucous membrane lesions characterize the secondary stage. This stage typically starts with the
development of a rash on one or more areas of the body. The rash usually does not cause itching. In addition to
rashes, symptoms of secondary syphilis may include fever, swollen lymph glands, sore throat, patchy hair loss,
headaches, weight loss, muscle aches, and fatigue. The signs and symptoms of secondary syphilis will resolve with
or without treatment, but without treatment, the infection will progress to the latent and possibly late stages of
disease.
The latent (hidden) stage of syphilis begins when primary and secondary symptoms disappear. Without treatment,
the infected person will continue to have syphilis even though there are no signs or symptoms; infection remains in
the body. This latent stage can last for years. In the late stages of syphilis, the disease may subsequently damage the
internal organs, including the brain, nerves, eyes, heart, blood vessels, liver, bones, and joints. Signs and symptoms
of the late stage of syphilis include difficulty coordinating muscle movements, paralysis, numbness, gradual
blindness, and dementia. This damage may be serious enough to cause death.
Pelvic inflammatory disease: Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a general term that refers to infection of the
uterus (womb), fallopian tubes (tubes that carry eggs from the ovaries to the uterus) and other reproductive organs.
It is a common and serious complication of some sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), especially chlamydia
and gonorrhea. PID can damage the fallopian tubes and tissues in and near the uterus and ovaries. PID can lead
to serious consequences including infertility, ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy in the fallopian tube or elsewhere
outside of the womb), abscess formation, and chronic pelvic pain. PID occurs when bacteria move upward from a
woman's vagina or cervix (opening to the uterus) into her reproductive organs. Many different organisms can cause
PID, but many cases are associated with gonorrhea and chlamydia, two very common bacterial STDs.
Symptoms of PID vary from none to severe. When PID is caused by chlamydial infection, a woman may
experience mild symptoms or no symptoms at all, while serious damage is being done to her reproductive organs.
Because of vague symptoms, PID goes unrecognized by women and their health care providers about two thirds of
the time.
Trichomoniasis: Trichomoniasis is a common sexually transmitted disease (STD) that affects both women
and men, although symptoms are more common in women. It is caused by a single-cell parasite and it is the
most common curable STD in young, sexually active women. Most men with trichomoniasis do not have signs
or symptoms; however, some men may temporarily have an irritation inside the penis, mild discharge, or slight
burning after urination or ejaculation.
2.4-168
Unit Two—Lesson Four
HIV and STIs
STI/STD and HIV Facts (cont.)
From the Centers for Disease Control
Some women have signs or symptoms of infection which include a frothy, yellow-green vaginal discharge with a
strong odor. The infection also may cause discomfort during intercourse and urination, as well as irritation and
itching of the female genital area. In rare cases, lower abdominal pain can occur. Symptoms usually appear in
women within 5 to 28 days of exposure.
Human papillomavirus: Human papillomavirus (pap-ah-LO-mah-VYE-rus) (HPV) is the most common
sexually transmitted virus in the United States. There are more than 40 HPV types that can infect the genital areas
of males and females. These HPV types can also infect the mouth and throat. Most people who become infected
with HPV do not even know they have it. HPV is passed on through genital contact, most often during vaginal
and anal sex. HPV may also be passed on during oral sex and genital-to-genital contact. HPV can be passed on
between straight and same-sex partners—even when the infected partner has no signs or symptoms.
A person can have HPV even if years have passed since he or she had sexual contact with an infected person. Most
infected persons do not realize they are infected or that they are passing the virus on to a sex partner. It is also
possible to get more than one type of HPV at the same time. Most HPV has no symptoms and goes away on its
own; however, some HPV can lead to genital warts and other types of HPV can lead to cervical cancer. Pap smears
are the main way to check the health of the cervix and to catch signs before cervical cancer develops. One of the
many treatment options available is cryotherapy or freezing.
There are two types of vaccines to protect against the worst types of HPV. Getting vaccinated can protect against
the types of HPV most likely to cause cervical cancer or warts. Some states require HPV vaccination for all
students.
Hepatitis B: Hepatitis B is a virus that infects the liver. You can have hepatitis B and not know it. You may not
have symptoms. If you do, they can make you feel like you have the flu. But as long as you have the virus, you can
spread it to others. A mother who has the virus can pass it to her baby during delivery.
Hepatitis B is caused by the hepatitis B virus. It is spread through contact with the blood and body fluids of an
infected person. Among other causes, having sex with an infected person without using a condom is one way to
contract Hepatitis B.
Sometimes the virus causes a long-term infection, called chronic hepatitis B. Over time, it can damage your liver.
Over 90% of the cases of Hepatitis B will go away on their own.
There is a vaccination for Hepatitis B. Anybody who is planning to ever have sex or work in the health profession
should be vaccinated. Some states require Hepatitis B vaccination for all students.
The Human Immunodeficiency Virus: The Human Immunodeficiency virus, commonly known as HIV is spread
when infected bodily fluids from one person enter another person’s body. Pre-cum, semen, vaginal fluids, blood,
and breast milk are the fluids that can transmit the virus. Unprotected sex is the most common way people get
infected with HIV in the U.S., followed by sharing needles. Women who are HIV positive can pass HIV to their
baby before or during delivery or through breastfeeding after birth. HIV attacks the very cells which normally
defend the body against illness. Eventually, HIV weakens the immune system to such an extent that the body can
no longer fight off other diseases and infections.
HIV and AIDS are part of a continuum. HIV is the virus that infects the body and AIDS is the most advanced
stage of HIV. So, not everyone who has HIV has AIDS, but, everyone who has AIDS is infected with HIV.
How quickly someone with HIV advances to AIDS depends on many different factors. One important factor is
how soon after HIV infection a person is diagnosed and gets into care. Also, just like any other health problem,
different people’s bodies respond differently to HIV. So, it is important to get tested, get care if you are positive
and protect yourself and your partner(s).
2.4-169
Unit Two—Lesson Four
HIV and STIs
2.4-170
Unit Two—Lesson Four
HIV and STIs
STI Game Questions
1. What are the two most common viral STIs? HPV/genital warts and herpes
2. With which STI can small, painful sore develop in the genital area? herpes
3. Flat or round bumps that may take the appearance of cauliflower are a symptom of this STI. HPV/genital warts
4. Which STI has a vaccine available to help protect people against it? hepatitis B
5. How are herpes and HPV/genital wars contracted? skin-to-skin contact
6. Symptoms in males include a thick, yellow penile discharge. gonorrhea
7. Which STI is commonly referred to as the “silent epidemic” because most people will have no symptoms.
chlamydia
8. Untreated chlamydia and gonorrhea can lead to this complication in females. PID
9. Which STI are female youth are most vulnerable to? chlamydia
10. A painless sore will develop at the site where this STI enters the body. syphilis
11. Use of antibiotics, vaginal douches, and hygiene sprays are some ways to get rid of this infection, which is not
an STI. yeast infection
12. Which STI has the symptom of a foul smelling, milky vaginal discharge? BV
13. The symptoms of this STI include a frothy or bubbly vaginal discharge. trichomoniasis
14. Which two “ulcerative” STIs make it easier to become infected with HIV? syphilis and herpes
15. Approximately what percentage of adults will “clear” or recover from hepatitis B? 90%
16. Which two STIs have one-dose treatments available to cure them? chlamydia and gonorrhea
17. Which STI requires a long-acting form of penicillin to cure it? syphilis
18. The recommended relief for symptoms of which STI is rest, abstaining from alcohol and reducing protein intake.
hepatitis B
19. Cryotherapy or freezing is one of the many treatment options available for this STI. HPV/genital warts
20. Acyclovir, Famciclovir, and Valacyclovir are the anti-viral treatments for which STI? herpes
2.4-171
Unit Two—Lesson Four
HIV and STIs
2.4-172
4
Unit Two—Lesson Four
HIV and STIs
SUMMARIZE: Sexuality, Responsibilities of Sexual
Activity and the Benefits of Abstinence Section Quiz
10 minutes
Materials:
Purpose:
• Abstinence Family Activity worksheet
This activity reinforces information students learned
in the section and gauges their understanding of the
content. The results of this quiz will help you and the
students identify areas where reinforcement of the
concepts may need to be addressed in preparation for the
final test.
• Unit 2, Section 1 Quiz: Sexuality, Responsibilities of
Sexual Activity and the Benefits of Abstinence
Facilitation Steps:
1. Ask students to take out their homework assignment,
the completed Abstinence Family Activity worksheet.
2. Ask for volunteers to share any comments their family/trusted adult made regarding good things about
waiting to have sex and suggestions on how to remain
abstinent. Collect the worksheets.
3. Hand out the section quiz Sexuality, Responsibilities of
Sexual Activity and the Benefits of Abstinence to each
student, allowing 5 minutes to complete.
2.4-173
Unit Two—Lesson Four
HIV and STIs
2.4-174
Unit Two—Lesson Four
Section 1 Quiz: Sexuality,
Responsibilities Of Sexual Activity,
And The Benefits Of Abstinence
1. Correctly label the female illustration by inserting the
following terms in their correct location:
cervix
ovaries
uterus
clitoris
fallopian tubes
vagina
HIV and STIs
Name: ___________________________
Class: ___________________________
2. The female reproductive system contains two almond
shaped organs called the _____________.
3. Two important hormones that send messages to the female body are ____________ and
_______________.
4. The female egg is released from the ovary to the
_________________ where it waits to be fertilized.
5. One ejaculation of a male contains how many sperm?
a.
b.
c.
d.
hundreds
thousands
millions
tens of millions
6. Sperm are stored and mature in the
________________.
7. The oval shaped glands called _________ are protected by a pouch of skin called the ____________.
8. Correctly label the male illustration by inserting the
following terms in their correct location:
penis
seminal vesical
cowper’s gland vas deferens
teste
prostate
gland
epididymis
scrotum
9. Which of the following are barrier contraceptive
methods? Choose all that apply.
a. condom
b. vaginal ring
c. patch
d. diaphragm
e. IUD
10.The 100% effective means of preventing pregnancy and STIs is ________________.
11.Match the following STIs with their symptoms/affect on the body by placing the letter of the symptom/affect
next to the STI.
STI
Symptom/Affect
____ Chlamydia
a. One or more blisters on or around genital area/rectum leaving ulcers
(sores) in affected area
____ Human papillomavirus
b. Bacterium that grows and multiplies in areas of reproductive tract
and can grow in mouth, throat, eyes, anus
____ Gonorrhea
c. Known as the “silent” disease because irreversible damage can occur in
women before they know they have it
____ Genital herpes
d. Cervical cancer or genital warts
2.4-175
Unit Two—Lesson Four
HIV and STIs
2.4-176
Unit Two—Lesson Four
Section 1 Quiz: Sexuality,
Responsibilities Of Sexual Activity,
And The Benefits Of Abstinence —
1. Correctly label the female illustration by inserting the
following terms in their correct location:
cervix
ovaries
uterus
clitoris
fallopian tubes
vagina
HIV and STIs
Answer Key
2. The female reproductive system contains two almond
shaped organs called the ovaries .
3. Two important hormones that send messages to the
female body are estrogen and progesterone .
4. The female egg is released from the ovary to the
fallopian tubes
where it waits to be fertilized.
5. One ejaculation of a male contains how many sperm?
a.
b.
c.
d.
hundreds
thousands
millions
tens of millions
6. Sperm are stored and mature in the epididymis .
7. The oval shaped glands called testicles are protected by a pouch of skin called the scrotum .
8. Correctly label the male illustration by inserting the
following terms in their correct location:
penis
seminal vesical
cowper’s gland vas deferens
teste
prostate
gland
epididymis
scrotum
9. Which of the following are barrier contraceptive
methods? Choose all that apply.
a. condom
b. vaginal ring
c. patch
d. diaphragm
e. IUD
10.The 100% effective means of preventing pregnancy and STIs is
abstinence
.
11.Match the following STIs with their symptoms/affect on the body by placing the letter of the symptom/affect
next to the STI.
STI
Symptom/Affect
c Chlamydia
a. One or more blisters on or around genital area/rectum leaving ulcers
(sores) in affected area
d Human papillomavirus
b. Bacterium that grows and multiplies in areas of reproductive tract
and can grow in mouth, throat, eyes, anus
b Gonorrhea
c. Known as the “silent” disease because irreversible damage can occur in
women before they know they have it
a Genital herpes
d. Cervical cancer or genital warts
2.4-177
Unit Two—Lesson Four
HIV and STIs
2.4-178
4
Unit Two—Lesson Four
HIV and STIs
SECTION RESOURCES
Websites:
Centers for Disease Control
www.cdc.gov
MTV and the Kaiser Family Foundation's Emmy Award winning It's Your (Sex) Life public information campaign.
www.itsyoursexlife.com
Planned Parenthood:
www.plannedparenthood.org
American Social Health Association:
www.ashastd.org
ReCAPP: Resource Center for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention
http://www.etr.org/recapp/index.cfm?fuseaction=pages.LearningActivitiesHome
California Family Health Council
www.teensource.org
National Campaign to Reduce Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy
http://www.thenationalcampaign.org/
World Health Organization
www.who.int
2.4-179
Unit Two—Lesson Four
HIV and STIs
2.4-180