Understanding HIV/AIDS and Promoting Awareness

Using the Internet


Objectives
1. Define and distinguish HIV and AIDS.
2. Explain how HIV is transmitted, prevented and treated.
3. Describe the symptoms of HIV infection and it's progression to AIDS.
4. Understand how the immune system fights HIV infection, and how HIV destroys the body's immune system.
5. Analyze how the HIV epidemic has spread in the United States particularly, and in other countries.
6. Learn how blood is tested for HIV.
7. Reocgnize some medical terminology concerning HIV/AIDS.
8. Promote public awareness of HIV/AIDS by poster presentation.

Age Group
High school juniors or seniors.

Curriculum Areas
Health, Science, Math, Social Studies.

Time
One hour per week for three weeks.

Resources and Materials
1. Internet access, with Yahoo and a browser.
2. Textbooks, magazines, dictionary, pamphlets as needed.
3. Looseleaf paper for note taking.
4. Graph paper or graphing software.
5. Word processor or typewritter.
6. Poster board and color markers or crayons.


Directions

Students are to research topics listed below using the eductional internet resource locations provided and gather information and answer questions assigned. The educational sites students are to visit contain most if not all of the information that is needed to complete the assignment. Many sites listed contain additional links of their own. Yahoo, under Diseases and Conditions (HIV & AIDS) also has many great links. Students should be encouraged to explore these options in case there is a problem with an assigned site. Textbooks, magazines, dictionary, pamphlets etc. may be used as needed to help complete the assignment.

After researching and collecting the required information, students are to prepare handbooks. Handbooks are to be prepared in the same format as the questions asked, meaning each topic listed below (I-VIII) is presented as if it were a chapter in a book. In addition, students are to design and construct a poster upon completion of their handbook. The poster may be prepared on any HIV/AIDS topic listed below that they feel will be valuable in helping to promote public awareness by educating their peers. One class period (or as many as needed) should be designated to invite other classes in to view the posters and ask questions and discuss issues.

Assignment

I. Definition of HIV and AIDS
 1. What is HIV and what does it stand for?
2. What is AIDS and what does it stand for?
3. How and where has HIV/AIDS believed to have originated?

II. Transmission
 1. Describe the ways which HIV can be transmitted between people.
2. What are some ways HIV can't be transmitted?
3. Does HIV survive well in the open environment?
4. What group of people are most at risk for HIV infection right now?
5. If you become HIV infected, will you necessarily get AIDS?

III. Symptoms
 1. What are the symptoms of HIV infections?
2. What are the symptoms of AIDS?
3. What is the ARC (AIDS related complex)?
4. Define opportunistic infections.
5. List and briefly describe some types of opportunistic infections.

IV. Treatment
 1. How is HIV/AIDS treated?
2. What is AZT and how does it work?

V. Prevention
 1. What measures can be taken to prevent infections with HIV?
2. What type of sexual contact is safe or no risk? Low risk? High risk?

VI. Defense Mechanisms (Body's Immune System)
 1. How does the immune system fight HIV?
2. What cells of the immune system does HIV infect and destroy?
3. What happens to the body as a consequence of this destruction?

VII. Blood Testing
 1. What type of test is used to detect HIV infection?
2. Define antibody.
3. What can a negative test result mean?
4. What does a positive test result mean?
5. Who should get an antibody test?

VIII. Epidemiology
 1. Define the following: epidemiology, epidemic and pandemic.
2. Visit the following site and read through the page:

  • World Health Organization's Home Page
    3. As of December 15, 1995 how many AIDS cases worldwide were reported to the WHO (World Health Organization)?
    4. As of the end of 1994, how many people did the WHO estimate to be HIV infected worldwide?
    5. In how many countries have AIDS cases been reported?
    6. Would you consider HIV/AIDS to be epidemic or pandemic? Why?
    7. Click on to the following link: AIDS Cases Reported to WHO by Continent/Year.
    8. On what continents is AIDS/HIV epidemic?
    9. Graph the number of new AIDS cases in the United States from 1979 until 1995. (x-axis = year, y-axis = number of new cases).
    10. In what year(s) did the number on new cases increase, peak, decrease?
    11. What do you think will happen in the future and why?
    12. What can be done to make sure this trend continues to decline?

    IX. Poster Preparation and Presentation

    Upon completion of the handbook, prepare a poster on any HIV/AIDS topic listed above that you feel would be valuable in educating peers and promoting public awareness. Other students will be invited in during a designated class period to view posters, ask questions and discuss issues.


    Educational Internet Resource Locations



  • Yahoo HIV & AIDS Links

  • AIDS Information for Teenagers
    Other recommended links within this site: Sexual Feelings, Relationships and Condoms; Pills and Other Useful Things.

  • How is AIDS Transmitted?

  • Florida HIV/AIDS Hotline
    Click on to the following links: What is the difference between HIV and AIDS? And Information about HIV transmission.

  • Humboldt University AIDS Server
    Click on to the Prevention link under HIV/AIDS Features. A glossary of terms can also be accessed from this category.

  • AIDS Virus Infection

  • AIDS Dictionary

  • Opportunistic Infections
    Click on Opportunistic Infections Chart link. This page contains a table of contents linked with diseases (opportunistic infections) to obtain more information.

  • Aids 101

  • Aids Handbook




    Send your Comments and Suggestions to me at: cvancura@sunysb.edu
    Last Modified: November 20, 1996