| Permission for Student Participation When teaching sensitive subjects such as reproductive health, it is essential to follow state and district guidelines for notification of parents and to provide opportunities for community members to preview materials. Teaching about reproductive health requires teachers to be sensitive to the needs of adolescents and to feel comfortable with the subject matter. Treat the subject respectfully and model appropriate language for your students. Accurate information about the reproductive organs and their functions plays a key role in encouraging students to make healthful choices about the body processes and the questions that arise during puberty. |
HIV/STD
All sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are alike because they are caused by pathogens (viruses and bacteria) that thrive in the moist, warm environment of the human body. These pathogens are found in body fluids (blood, semen, vaginal fluids or breast milk). Sexual intercourse (vaginal, oral and anal), breast feeding, and sharing injection drug needles and syringes provide an opportunity for body fluids that may contain pathogens to enter the body of another person.
The best way to prevent HIV/STD infection is to avoid sexual intercourse and injection drug use. Mutual monogamy with an uninfected partner is also a safe behavior. Persons who choose to be sexually active can protect themselves from HIV/STD by using condoms correctly and consistently.
The STDs that are caused by bacteria can be cured with special medicines such as antibiotics. Early diagnosis and treatment may prevent many of the consequences that result from these STDs. Unfortunately, there is no cure for the STDs that are caused by viruses. Herpes, genital warts and HIV infection can be treated but not cured. Treatments help decrease the severity of the symptoms and, in the case of HIV, prolong life. The search for cures continues, but for now, prevention is the best medicine that can be offered.
Doctors and health clinics can test people for HIV/STD and provide necessary treatment and information. Additional information can be found on the Web and in the library. Teachers, books and pamphlets can answer questions adolescents may have about STD.
STDs
HIV may be the most feared and publicized STD, but other STDs have a much higher incidence rate. These STDs, like HIV, are caused by pathogens (virus and bacteria) that thrive in the moist, warm environment of the human body. These pathogens are found in body fluids (blood, semen, vaginal fluids or urine). Sexual intercourse (anal, vaginal and oral) and sharing injection drug needles and syringes provide an opportunity for body fluids that may contain pathogens to enter the body of another person.
The best way to prevent all STDs is to avoid sexual intercourse and injection drug use. There is now a vaccine that protects against hepatitis B; however, there are no vaccines for the other STDs. Mutual monogamy with an uninfected partner is also a safe behavior. Persons who choose to be sexually active can protect themselves from STDs by using condoms correctly and consistently.
The STDs that are caused by bacteria can be cured with medications, e.g., antibiotics. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent many of the consequences that result from these STDs.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for HIV, hepatitis B, herpes or genital warts. These infections can be treated but cannot be cured. Treatments help decrease the severity of the symptoms and may prolong life. The search for cures continues, but for now, prevention is the best medicine that can be offered.
STD Facts for Teachers
| Std/Cause | Symptoms | Consequences | Treatment |
| chlamydia | discharge from the sexual organs painful urination unusual bleeding from the vagina pelvic pain (Most women have no symptoms; some men have no symptoms.) | passed to sexual partner may lead to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) in women if untreated, may cause sterility damage to reproductive organs passed from mother to child during birth | can be cured with the correct medicine |
| gonorrhea | discharge from the sexual organs painful urination pelvic pain (Most women have no symptoms; some men have no symptoms.) | if left untreated: passed to sexual partner can lead to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) in women may cause sterility damage to reproductive organs heart trouble, arthritis, skin disease passed from woman to child during birth | Can be cured with correct medicine |
| genital warts | may not be visible small, bumpy warts on or near the sex organs painless but can cause itching or burning | if left untreated: passed to sexual partner more warts usually grow may lead to cancer cannot be cured passed from woman to child during birth | Warts may be removed with medicines or surgery. Reduce stress and keep the genital area dry. |
| hepatitis B | fatigue, diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, jaundice, darkened urine, liver damage | passed to sexual partner passed through contaminated needles and syringes or from sharing contaminated razors, toothbrushes, etc. | symptoms treated with medicines Reduce stress and increase rest. can be prevented by vaccination |
| herpes (virus) | fluid-filled blisters swollen glands flu-like symptoms Blisters come and go but the virus remains. | passed to sexual partner blisters recur cannot be cured passed from mother to child during birth | Blisters can be treated with medicines. Reduce stress and keep blisters clean and dry. |
| syphilis (bacterium) | painless sore on or near sex organs or mouth flu-like symptoms skin rash | passed to sexual partner organ damage passed from mother to child during pregnancy | antibiotics |
HIV/AIDS
The human immunodeficiency virus causes HIV infection and AIDS. People who are infected with this virus may not have any symptoms and may not realize they have become infected. People who have symptoms experience one or more of the following: flu-like symptoms, swollen glands, diarrhea, night sweats, weight loss, fatigue, yeast infections, pneumonia, cancer.
HIV attacks T-cells of the immune system and makes it difficult for the body to combat infections. People with HIV infection are diagnosed with AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) when their T-cell count falls below 200.
Transmission of HIV
HIV infection is transmitted from one person to another in three ways: through blood to blood contact, through sexual intercourse (oral, vaginal or anal) and from an infected woman to her child before, during or after birth [through breast milk]. HIV is not transmitted through casual contact. The virus must enter the blood for infection to occur.
HIV Prevention
Presently, there is no cure for HIV infection; therefore, prevention is the only alternative. Prevention is based primarily on behavior related to sexual intercourse and use of injection drugs. Abstinence is a safe sexual behavior, as is mutual monogamy with an uninfected partner. Use of latex condoms reduces, but does not eliminate the risk of HIV infection. Having unprotected sex and having multiple sex partners greatly increase the risk of HIV infection.
Sharing needles, syringes, tattoo or body piercing equipment provides a direct route for the virus to enter the bloodstream. Alcohol and other drugs may also increase the risk of HIV infection because they interfere with the ability to make good decisions about sex and drug use.
Women who become pregnant can be tested for HIV infection. If they are positive, medications can greatly reduce their risk of giving birth to a child who has HIV infection.
Treatment for HIV
Persons who are exposed to HIV can receive free or low-cost and anonymous or confidential testing at a clinic or doctor's office. Home-test kits are also available. Counseling is vitally important for people who are HIV positive. Early treatment and positive health behaviors are essential to retaining good health and prolonging life.
People who are living with HIV have the same needs as everyone else—and a few more. People with HIV can get information and support from legal, medical and psychological resources. National, state and city hotlines, referral agencies, texts, professionals and support groups can be found by searching through telephone directories, libraries and the Internet.
Communicating about Sex
Becoming pregnant or contracting a sexually transmitted disease requires intimacy. So does preventing them. Avoiding a pregnancy or an STD may require even more intimacy, because very often it means people have to talk. Communication isn't always easy. It can be embarrassing, especially for people who are not used to sharing personal feelings. But it gets easier with practice, and it is too important to avoid. Embarrassment or discomfort is not as bad as herpes, HIV infection or an unintended pregnancy.
Important Elements
Important elements in communication about sexual behavior include the following:
Initiate the discussion.
In some situations, nonverbal communication may be enough. Although it lacks the intimacy of verbal communication, nonverbal communication is preferable to no communication at all. For example, if you think you are going to have sex with someone, you can have a condom with you and simply put it on at the appropriate time. If you are a woman, you can offer the condom to your partner when the moment is right. However, if your partner refuses to use the condom, you will need to begin verbal communication about protection.
It is best to begin a discussion about protection before you are actively involved in sexual behavior. It is too easy to think, "Just this once will be okay." When sexual intercourse becomes a possibility, people need to be prepared to introduce the topics of contraception and STD prevention. Some people feel comfortable with a strong approach: Do you have condoms, or should I get them? Others may want to begin the conversation with a softer approach: I think we should talk about protection. Either approach should be assertive, respecting the feelings of both partners. Once the subject has been broached, the other person will usually be responsive to a discussion.
Mutual Disclosure
It would be nice if partners simply volunteered information about sexual health. Unfortunately, that usually doesn't happen. One of the best ways to find out about another's sexual history is to talk openly about your own. There is always some risk involved, but most partners will appreciate the honesty. Sincere concern about the partner's well-being usually overcomes feelings of embarrassment or shame.
Relationships that develop over time and are founded on mutual respect are likely to be safer sexually. A person with no emotional attachment may not be motivated to tell the truth. Therefore, taking time to get to know a partner is a good way to ensure your own sexual health. The information that potential partners should disclose to each other includes:
Joint Decision Making
In order to have protected sex, both partners need to agree on what practices they will engage in and under what circumstances. Otherwise, one partner may not cooperate and may undermine the other person's resolve. It is wise to remember that not making a decision is a decision in itself. Protected sex is one of life's important decisions. A thoughtful decision-making process that examines the advantages of all options should be used.
