Class hour “The Truth about AIDS”
“The Truth about AIDS” 8th grade
The purpose of the lesson is to deepen students’ knowledge about the origin and nature of the HIV virus, to promote knowledge among adolescents about possible ways of contracting HIV and preventing AIDS. This event forms a conscious and responsible attitude of students towards personal safety and the safety of others.
Didactic material: presentation “everything about AIDS”, video film “What is HIV-AIDS?”, Appendix 1 - testing, Appendix 2 - memo “How to protect yourself”, Appendix 3 - control task “Routes of transmission of HIV”
Lesson-lecture with elements of conversation.
On June 5, 1981, the American Center for Disease Control registered a new disease - AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). And already in 1988, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared December 1 as World AIDS Day. This is due to the fact that acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) has reached pandemic proportions. Currently, over 41 million people are living with HIV/AIDS. Young people suffer the most from the spread of this dangerous disease in the European Union and neighboring countries.
You are offered a small test, with the help of which you yourself will understand how much information you have on this problem (Appendix 1).
In this work, I propose to consider the structure of the HIV virus, its development, impact on the human body, and the spread of HIV infection (the story is accompanied by a presentation and video episodes).
HIV - human immunodeficiency virus
The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), like all viruses, is an intracellular parasite. The immunodeficiency virus is a lentivirus (“slow virus”). The structure of the virus is primitive: a shell made of a double layer of fatty molecules, inside there are two chains of RNA containing the genetic program of the virus, and proteins. The virus is portrayed as similar to an anti-submarine mine. Apart from this meager baggage, the virus does not need anything: it uses the host cell to reproduce. The virus particle itself is not capable of multiplying and causing harm until it gets inside the host cell.
HIV is extremely sensitive to external influences and is killed by all known disinfectants. Heating to 56°C sharply reduces the infectivity of the virus; when heated to 70-80°C, it is inactivated after 10 minutes. Virions are sensitive to the action of 70% ethyl alcohol (inactivated after 1 minute), 0.5% sodium hypochloride solution. At the same time, HIV is resistant to ultraviolet rays and ionizing radiation. The virus persists in blood intended for transfusion for years and tolerates low temperatures well.
It should be noted that the clinical course of HIV infection is highly variable. The sequence of progression of HIV infection through all stages of the disease is not required. The duration of HIV infection varies widely - from several months to 15-20 years.
Clinical manifestation of HIV infection
Stage 1. “Incubation stage” - the period from the moment of infection until the appearance of the body’s reaction in the form of clinical manifestations of “acute infection” and/or the production of antibodies. Its duration usually ranges from 3 weeks to 3 months, but in isolated cases it can last up to a year. During this period, HIV actively multiplies, but there are no clinical manifestations of the disease, and antibodies to HIV have not yet been detected, so diagnosis is difficult.
Stage 2. “Primary manifestation stage.” During this period, active replication of HIV in the body continues, but the body’s primary response to the introduction of this pathogen is already manifested in the form of clinical manifestations and/or the production of antibodies. The early stage of HIV infection can occur in several forms. 2A. “Asymptomatic” when there are no clinical manifestations of HIV infection. 2B. “Acute HIV infection without secondary diseases” can manifest itself with a variety of clinical symptoms. Most often this is fever, rashes on the skin and mucous membranes, swollen lymph nodes, and pharyngitis. There may be an enlargement of the liver, spleen, and diarrhea. 2B. “Acute HIV infection with secondary diseases.” In 10-15% of cases, patients with acute HIV infection develop secondary diseases (sore throat, pneumonia, candidiasis, herpetic infection, etc.). The duration of clinical manifestations of acute HIV infection varies from several days to several months, but usually it is 2- 3 weeks.
Stage 3. “Latent” is characterized by slow progression. Antibodies to HIV are detected in the blood. The only clinical manifestation of the disease is an enlargement of two or more lymph nodes in at least two unrelated groups (not counting the inguinal ones). The duration of the latent stage can vary from 2-3 to 20 or more years, on average - 6-7 years.
Stage 4. “Stage of secondary diseases.” Continued replication of HIV, leading to cell death, leads to the development of secondary diseases, infectious and/or oncological, against the background of immunodeficiency.
Stage 5. “Terminal stage.” At this stage, secondary diseases present in patients become irreversible. Even adequately administered antiviral therapy and therapy for secondary diseases are not effective, and the patient dies within a few months.
History of HIV (student report)
In 1988, Yugoslav physician and medical historian Mirko Grmek published a book, “The History of AIDS,” in which he argues that the causative agent of the disease most likely appeared several centuries ago. HIV emerged in West-Central Africa in the late nineteenth or early twentieth century. AIDS was first described by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 1981, and its causative agent, HIV, in the early 1980s.
The AIDS epidemic has lasted more than 20 years: it is believed that the first mass cases of HIV infection occurred in the late 1970s. Although HIV has since been better understood than any virus in the world, millions of people continue to die from AIDS and millions more are diagnosed with HIV infection. The epidemic continues to grow, covering more and more new regions. Currently, almost all over the world there is a steady increase in the number of HIV-infected and AIDS patients (map). The top ten countries with the largest number of HIV-infected people are: India (6.5 million), South Africa (5.5 million), Ethiopia (4.1 million), Nigeria (3.6 million), Mozambique (1.8 million) ), Kenya (1.7 million), Zimbabwe (1.7 million), USA (1.3 million), Russia (1 million) and China (1 million).
The natural reservoir of HIV is African monkeys; it is possible that these could be wild chimpanzees. Other animals are not susceptible to HIV.
Routes of HIV infection
The source of infection is a person infected with HIV, in all stages of infection, for life. Today, HIV has been found in many cellular elements and liquid media of patients and infected people. A special place among them is occupied by blood and sperm. Blood is the main springboard where processes leading to immunosuppression, the main pathogenetic mechanism of HIV infection, unfold. In addition, blood is known to play a leading role in the transmission of infection. HIV is found both in blood cells, mainly in lymphocytes, and in plasma and its fractions. Sperm is the main transporter of the virus in the spread of HIV infection.
The presence of HIV in saliva, tears, sweat, breast milk and cerebrospinal fluid has been proven. Of these, transmission of the disease is possible only through milk (daily introduction of the virus into the child’s body for a long time). The question of the amount of HIV in biological fluids remains open. It is generally accepted, however, that its concentration is highest in the blood, and in saliva, tears, sweat and breast milk, apparently, insignificant.
There are several known ways of transmitting HIV from person to person:
- During sexual intercourse. Sexual transmission is the most common route of HIV transmission worldwide.
- When using the same syringes or needles among injection drug users.
- During transfusion of blood and its components. HIV can be contained in donated blood products, fresh frozen plasma, platelet mass, and coagulation factor preparations. Transfusion of infected blood leads to infection in 90-100% of cases
- From mother to child. Infection of the fetus can occur during pregnancy - the virus is able to penetrate the placenta; and also during childbirth. The risk of infection of a child from an HIV-infected mother is 12.9% in European countries and reaches 45-48% in African countries.
- From patients to medical staff and vice versa. The risk of infection when injured by sharp objects contaminated with the blood of HIV-infected people is about 0.3%. The risk of contact of infected blood with mucous membranes and damaged skin is even lower.
In the proposed tests, indicate with a “+” or “–” sign in which situations HIV transmission is possible and in which it is not. Test “Routes of HIV Transmission” (Appendix 2).
AIDS and society
It must also be said that the problem of AIDS is not only a medical problem, but also a psychological and social one. This was especially evident at the beginning of the epidemic, when the main feeling towards HIV-infected people was the fear of becoming infected, multiplied by the lack of reliable information about how HIV infection can and cannot occur. People carrying HIV became literally outcasts, they were afraid to even talk to them. In order to avoid such discrimination against HIV-infected people, it is important to know what HIV is, how it is transmitted and how it is not transmitted. AIDS is not a problem of certain groups, but of all humanity as a whole, and this must be understood.
Conclusion
At the end of our lesson, let's all express our thoughts and feelings together in the form of a syncwine. Sinkwine is a special short recording of the main problem under discussion, taking into account a number of requirements
Rules for writing syncwine:
There are 5 lines in syncwine:
concept (one word); adjectives (two words); verbs (three words);
sentence (of four words); noun (one word).
Adjectives and verbs must reveal the concept, and the sentence must have a semantic character.
Making sun wishes - how to protect yourself from HIV? (the guys write a wish on each ray). After this, reminders are distributed (Appendix 3).
Memo “How to protect yourself!!!”
Knowing the main routes of transmission of HIV infection , a person should:
— observe the rules of personal hygiene: use a personal toothbrush, razor, manicure accessories, etc.
- do not try or touch drugs: even a single injection of a drug can lead to infection with the human immunodeficiency virus;
- when piercing ears, use only sterile instruments;
- Avoid early sexual relations, as this can lead to HIV infection.
Class hour “Prevention of AIDS and HIV. Informed means protected” 8th grade
Tasks:
introduce students to the problems of AIDS abroad and in our country;
give the most complete picture of the human immune system;
provide basic understanding of HIV transmission;
introduce the prevention of this disease.
Equipment:
map-table of the immune system; table of HIV penetration into the human body; AIDS prevention posters; brochures.
Progress of the event
Teacher: In 1988, the WHO (World Health Organization) decided that World AIDS Day will be celebrated annually on December 1. On this day, it is necessary to bring to public attention the main idea that the cheapest and most effective measure to combat this disease is health education and public awareness.
The teacher reads out the question and asks the students to answer it using their notes. If necessary, the teacher supplements their answers.
Questions (with suggested answers).
1. What is AIDS?
AIDS - acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
Syndrome - because there are a large number of signs, symptoms, complications associated with the disease.
Acquired - the disease is not caused by genetic predisposition, but is acquired in a specific way.
Immunodeficiency - the immune system is suppressed and loses its ability to resist infections.
Thus, AIDS is not a disease in the proper sense of the word; it only creates the conditions for other infectious diseases.
2. Is AIDS a contagious disease?
AIDS is a contagious disease. AIDS is the last (terminal) stage of HIV infection. The virus, entering another body, infects it.
3. What are viruses?
The smallest and ubiquitous viruses, lying on the border between living and non-living, (from the Latin Virus - “poison”) are sometimes classified into a separate kingdom Vira. There are many hypotheses about their origin. Some scientists believe that viruses are descendants of bacteria. Their structure was simplified as a result of adaptation to a parasitic existence. Others suggest that the distant ancestors of viruses were cellular organelles - mitochondria, chloroplasts, etc. Finally, others tend to consider viruses as part of the genome - the sum of all genes of a normal organism. Viruses are non-cellular forms of life. They consist of a small amount of DNA or RNA enclosed in a protein shell. Viruses cannot live outside the cells of living organisms, therefore, when they enter the external environment, they turn into a crystalline state.
However, whatever the evolutionary path of viruses, its result turned out to be very impressive: amazingly perfect, extremely rationally designed superparasites appeared that “robbery” at the intracellular, genetic level.
The virus was discovered by Russian scientist D.I. Ivanovsky in 1892. It was the tobacco mosaic virus.
4. What is the structure of the virus? How does a virus enter a cell? How does it multiply (replicate)?
All viruses have two “faces,” that is, they exist in two forms. In resting, or extracellular form, these are virions - particles that necessarily include nucleic acid (1 or 2 strands of DNA or RNA) and a protein shell that protects it. Only simple viruses work this way.
In complex viruses, the virion may contain other proteins in addition to this minimum set.
HIV belongs to the group of retroviruses. This virus contains two strands of RNA and the enzyme reversetase, which is capable of reverse transcription, i.e., transfer of genetic information from RNA to DNA. HIV has a unique variability that is 5 times greater than the variability of the influenza virus and 100 times greater than that of the hepatitis B virus. Infection begins at the cellular level when the virus attacks T lymphocytes
All information about the structure of the virion is recorded in nucleic acid. DNA can be linear or circular. RNA is most often linear, but in some viruses it lies in the particle not as one long molecule, but in the form of a set of pieces - fragments. Each piece carries its own part of the genetic program of the virus. The amount of hereditary information varies greatly among different types of viruses: from 3 genes to 200.
The penetration of the virus into the cytoplasm of the cell is preceded by its binding to a special protein - a receptor located on the surface of the cell. A special protein of the virus “recognizes” the corresponding receptor on the cell surface. The area of the cell surface to which the virus has attached is immersed in the cytoplasm and turns into a vacuole. A vacuole, the wall of which consists of a cytoplasmic membrane, can merge with other vacuoles or the nucleus. This way the virus is delivered to any part of the cell. Bacterial viruses have a different route of entry into cells. The bacteriophage inserts a hollow rod into the cell and pushes DNA or RNA through it.
Stages of viral replication.
Adsorption is the process of virus attachment to the cell surface.
Injection – penetration of the virus into the body.
Replication is due to the nucleotides contained in the cell.
Synthesis of viral proteins (capsid proteins and enzymes) occurs on cell ribosomes.
Assembly of viral particles is carried out from viral nucleic acids and viral proteins synthesized by the affected cell.
The release of viral particles from the affected cell. In bacteria it is often accompanied by lysis (destruction) of the cell; in eukaryotes it occurs by protruding the cell membrane and “pushing” viral particles into the environment. New particles of the virus, finding themselves in the environment, infect new cells, and the cycle of virus development repeats again.
5. Are the concepts of HIV and AIDS clear?
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that is transmitted from person to person through certain routes and causes dysfunction or destruction of the human body's immune system.
HIV infection is a disease that occurs when the immunodeficiency virus enters the human body.
AIDS is short for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. This is the last (terminal) stage of HIV infection.
6. How is HIV infection transmitted?
The immunodeficiency virus can enter the human body only:
1. During unprotected sexual contact with someone who is HIV-infected or has AIDS.
2. When the blood of an HIV-infected or AIDS patient enters the body of a healthy person.
3. From an HIV-infected or AIDS-infected mother to a child. This can happen during pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding.
4. HIV spreads through sexual contact (both homo- and heterosexual).
5. When transfusion of donor blood.
6. When using poorly sterilized medical instruments.
It is believed that HIV is not transmitted through air, water, food, or insect bites.
7. How does HIV develop into AIDS?
AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is a late stage of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection. A few weeks after HIV infection, the temperature sometimes rises, the lymph nodes become enlarged, and red spots appear on the skin. But such signs do not always appear, and if they appear, they quickly disappear. After several months or years, immunity decreases. HIV attacks the main cells of the immune system - lymphocytes. As a result, AIDS manifests itself in the form of tumors or infections. A person may die 3-10 years after infection.
8. Can a single contact lead to infection?
Yes maybe. If it is sexual intercourse without a condom, it will be an injection with a non-sterile syringe, that is, a syringe used by an HIV-infected or AIDS patient.
9. Which population groups are most at risk of infection?
Those most at risk of infection are: drug addicts and people who are sexually promiscuous, i.e., frequently changing sexual partners with unprotected sex.
10. How long does it take for a person to determine whether he is infected or not?
In each person, the manifestation of the disease can occur differently: from 2-3 weeks to 6-12 months (on average - after 3 months).
11. What is an HIV test?
Only a doctor can make a diagnosis of HIV infection based on clinical data and a positive laboratory blood test for the immunodeficiency virus.
Within 5 days after infection, specific antibodies against the HIV virus appear in the blood and can be detected. This reaction is most pronounced between the second and seventh weeks.
A person donates blood from a vein, it is taken to a blood transfusion station (there is an AIDS laboratory there). The test itself is very difficult, but only lasts a few minutes. The test determines the presence of specific proteins (antibodies) in a person’s blood to detect the presence of the AIDS virus in the body. The test result may be positive (if such antibodies are present) or negative (if such antibodies are not present). A positive test result indicates that a person is sick.
12. What is the window period?
The “window” period (incubation period) is the time from the moment of infection until the appearance of the first symptoms of the disease or until the appearance of laboratory signs of the disease (protective proteins in the blood). This period lasts from 2-3 weeks to 6-12 months (on average 3 months).
13. Is it possible to determine by appearance whether a person is infected with HIV or not?
The virus can remain in the body for ten years or more before a person experiences any symptoms of the disease. During this period, a person may look and feel completely healthy, but may still pass the virus on to others.
Thus:
- you can get HIV without even knowing it;
- You can transmit HIV to others without knowing it.
14. What are the clinical manifestations of AIDS?
Infection with HIV does not mean having AIDS. Most infected people go through a stage of asymptomatic virus carriage for 3-5 years, and many even up to 12 years, during which the carrier is dangerous because he can infect others.
Many infected people develop an “AIDS-related symptom complex” (ARC - AIDS - related comlpex), which is manifested by enlarged lymph nodes, diarrhea, fever, night sweats, stomatitis, and a number of infections (fungi, herpes). The longer this symptom complex lasts, the greater the risk of developing active AIDS.
The manifestations of AIDS are varied: damage to the central nervous system (up to chronic meningitis and dementia), as well as leukemia and the formation of tumors.
15. Does an HIV-infected person always develop AIDS?
Definitely, always. If a person is infected, this does not mean that he will immediately develop AIDS, but he will definitely develop it. The virus can stay in the body for up to 10 years or more, it gradually destroys the immune system, and, in the end, it becomes so weak that the person develops serious health problems.
16. Should I be afraid of communicating in everyday life with people infected with AIDS?
There is no need to be afraid of communicating with people with AIDS.
— HIV infection is not transmitted in everyday life.
— It is impossible to become infected by sharing utensils and toilets with HIV-infected people, by swimming in the same pool with them, by saying hello and hugging.
17. Why can HIV only live in the human body?
HIV can only live in the human body, since the virus is able to interact only with human cells that contain specific proteins that are not characteristic of animals.
18. Is it possible to prevent HIV infection through sexual contact?
You can prevent HIV infection through sexual contact by:
You will have a permanent sexual partner;
You will use a condom (a condom must be purchased in pharmacies and should cost at least 10 rubles per piece, not per pack).
19. Why do cases of discrimination against HIV-infected people arise?
Cases of discrimination against HIV-infected people arise due to the fact that most people simply have an “animal” fear of this disease and due to ignorance of the true routes of transmission and prevention of HIV infection.
20. In what year was the AIDS virus discovered?
The HIV epidemic first emerged in the early 1970s. XX century , and the virus was discovered in 1985 (according to other sources in 1983). By 2005, about 20 million people in the world had died from AIDS, and about 40 million people on the planet were infected with HIV.
21. In what country did this happen?
AIDS was first discovered in the United States in 1981. In 1981, among a group of residents of San Francisco (USA), people were discovered suffering from strange and rare forms of pneumonia and various tumors. The disease ended in death. As it turned out, these patients had a sharply weakened immune system (protective properties) of the body. People began to be killed by a wide variety of microbes, which under normal conditions would only cause mild illness. The disease was called AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).
As soon as the clinical picture of the new disease was described in the medical literature, reports of patients in other countries began to arrive.
Already in 1983, a virus was isolated, now known as the
human immunodeficiency or HIV. The honor of discovery belongs to Luc Montagnier (France) and Robert Gallo (USA). Blood test methods for detecting HIV (based on the presence of antibodies to it) were developed in 1985.
Gradually, the epidemic of the new disease spread throughout the world. The causative agents of the disease - viruses - were simultaneously discovered by biologists Montagnier in France and Gallo in the USA in 1983. Later, human AIDS viruses and similar ones were discovered in four species of monkeys. Chimpanzee (AIDS-1) and smoky mangobey (AIDS-2) viruses are dangerous to humans.
22. Are there any treatments for HIV infection?
Until now, medicine cannot find a cure for AIDS. Existing remedies can only maintain health and slow down the course of the disease, but not stop it completely. Creating vaccines against AIDS is apparently as difficult as creating vaccines against influenza, due to the great variability of the virus. HIV has a unique variability that is 5 times greater than the variability of the influenza virus and 100 times greater than that of the hepatitis B virus.
Treatment is still ineffective (the main drug is azidothymidine).
Since there are still no reliable drugs to treat AIDS, the death outcome for all these people is almost predetermined.
As part of the implementation of the “Priority National Project in the Sphere of Health,” 3.1 billion rubles have been allocated for the prevention and fight against HIV/AIDS. The money will be used for the prevention and treatment of HIV-infected people.
23. What is the difficulty of treating HIV infection?
Anti-AIDS drugs affect certain enzymes of the virus, which stops its reproduction. Unfortunately, it is not yet possible to completely cure a patient with medication. The fact is that the AIDS virus is embedded in the genome of the cells of various organs and cannot be pulled out of there. With the help of drugs, you can ensure that the virus disappears from the blood. There are no free particles, it does not infect new cells, but still remains in the body; and as soon as the drug is stopped, it reappears in the blood.
24. What methods, in your opinion, can be used to prevent the spread of HIV infection in the city?
Basic methods of prevention - doctors need to give lectures and conversations more often at schools and enterprises. You need to talk to children in accessible language and in small groups. Produce more colorful posters and booklets about possible ways of contracting AIDS. In lectures and conversations, the main emphasis should be on proper sex education, limiting the number of sexual partners, and using condoms; use of syringes, needles, disposable transfusion systems; thorough sterilization of medical instruments; conducting mass screenings for HIV infection.
In the Russian Federation, criminal liability has been established for knowingly exposing another person to the risk of infection, as well as for contracting the disease AIDS (HIV infection).
Used literature and other sources.
1. Bilic G., Nazarova L. Popular medical encyclopedia. Man and his health. Moscow: VECHE, 1997.
2. Bogdanova T. L., Solodova E. A. Biology: A reference guide for high school students and applicants to universities. – M.: AST-PRESS SCHOOL, 2002.
3. Information bulletin of the city clinic No. 5. Epidemiologist of the Consultative and Diagnostic Office Lyudmila Karlovna Nikulina, 2006.
4. Fadeeva G. A. International environmental actions at school. 7-9 grades. – Volgograd: Teacher, 2005.
5. Fedorova M. Z., Kuchmenko V. S., Lukina T. P. Human ecology. Culture of health: A textbook for 8th grade students in general education institutions. – M.: Ventana-Graf, 2004.
6. Encyclopedia for children. vol. 2. Biology. – 5th ed. ,rev. and additional / Head. editor M. D. Aksyonova. – M.: Avanta+, 2001.
7. Encyclopedia of Cyril and Methodius (computer version), 2007.
8. I’m going to a biology lesson: Man and his health: A book for teachers. – M.: Publishing House “First of September”, 2001.
Class hour on the topic: “World AIDS Day. How to protect yourself from AIDS"
Methodological development
class hour on the topic:
“World AIDS Day.
How to protect yourself from AIDS"
(situational discussion workshop)
Topic: “World AIDS Day. How to protect yourself from AIDS"
(situational discussion workshop)
Target:
prevention of negative phenomena among young students;
encouraging students to take an active civic position on issues related to HIV/AIDS;
Tasks:
provide reliable information about HIV/AIDS, modes of transmission, examination methods, and possibilities for preventing infection;
inform students about how experts, representatives of legislative and executive authorities, various public organizations and foundations relate to this socially important problem;
analyze international experience on the problem.
Equipment:
multimedia, presentation.
Progress of the class hour.
Opening speech by the class teacher: Dear students, our conversation today will be very serious, and it will be devoted to a pressing topic: how to protect yourself from the plague of the 21st century - AIDS?
So…
Speaker 1.
All over the world today they are talking about AIDS, about the threat this global epidemic poses to the existence of humanity. You can remember and mourn those who have already died or are terminally ill, you can talk about the scale of the tragedy and the fact that this plague of the 20th, and now the 21st, century threatens the existence of humanity...
On June 5, 1981, the American Center for Disease Control registered a new disease - AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome).
World AIDS Day was first observed on December 1, 1988, after a meeting of all health ministers called for social tolerance and increased exchange of information on HIV/AIDS. Celebrated annually on December 1, World AIDS Day serves to strengthen organized efforts to combat the HIV and AIDS pandemic that is spreading across all regions of the world. Organized efforts are aimed at strengthening public support for programs to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS, organizing training and providing information on all aspects of HIV/AIDS.
Recognizing the increasing challenges associated with the HIV/AIDS pandemic, the UN created an alliance of six world organizations in 1996. Called the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the program brings together as sponsors of this joint project the United Nations Children's Fund, the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Population Fund; United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Bank.
UNAIDS supports long-term global projects to prevent HIV infection and AIDS; helps fight for human rights regardless of HIV status, provides assistance to countries around the world through prevention training, support for HIV/AIDS research, and work with programs to expand the international front against HIV/AIDS.
World AIDS Day has become an annual event in most countries. Although December 1st is the designated date for the Day, many communities organize a number of events in the weeks and days leading up to and following the official celebration.
(A brief discussion ensues.)
Speaker
2.
Red ribbon
The symbol of the fight against AIDS is the red ribbon; not a single action in this area is now complete without it. This ribbon, as a symbol of AIDS awareness, was conceived in the spring of 1991. Its idea belongs to the artist Frank Moore. He lived in small town New York, where a neighboring family wore yellow ribbons, hoping for the safe return of their soldier daughter from the Persian Gulf.
Ribbons as a symbol first appeared during the Gulf War. Green ribbons, shaped like an upside-down V, have become a symbol of the Atlanta child murders. The artist decided that the ribbon could be a metaphor for AIDS too.
The idea was accepted by the Visual AIDS group. Since the organization was made up of professional artists and arts managers, advertising a visible symbol of the fight against AIDS was done very well. It all started very simply. Here is an excerpt from an early Visual AIDS flyer: “Cut the red ribbon 6 centimeters long, then fold the top into an inverted “V” shape. Use a safety pin to attach it to your clothing.”
The Red Ribbon Project was officially launched at the 45th Annual Tony Awards on June 2, 2000. All nominees and participants were asked (and quite successfully) to pin such ribbons. According to the press release announcing the Red Ribbon Project: “The Red Ribbon (an inverted “V”) will be a symbol of our compassion, support and hope for a future without AIDS. The biggest hope for this project is that by December 1st, World AIDS Day, these ribbons will be worn around the world.”
And the red ribbon gained enormous popularity. Even though outright AIDSphobia was at its peak, red ribbons increasingly appeared on the lapels of jackets, the brims of hats - wherever you could pin a safety pin. Over the next few years, ribbons became part of the dress code for a select few not only at the Tony ceremonies, but at the Oscars and Emmys as well.
Speaker
3.
An extremely important aspect of the problem is the continuing risk of the spread of HIV infection and other acute infectious diseases (hepatitis) among drug users, since the most common method of drug administration should be recognized as injection. Humanity has not yet come up with reliable means of protection against the spread of HIV infection. Today there are no drugs that guarantee complete recovery of those sick with this terrible disease.
One sick drug addict can infect about 100 people with AIDS. By becoming infected themselves, drug addicts exponentially increase the number of HIV-infected people. According to experts, only one out of ten HIV-infected drug addicts knows that he is sick; the rest do not even suspect it and continue to live a “full” life. Some drug addicts deliberately infect unsuspecting “comrades” with HIV.
This problem has widely affected all foreign countries. In Poland in 2000, the majority of HIV-infected people were intravenous drug users. According to American researchers, the spread of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, is greatly influenced by changes in heterosexual behavior after the use of intravenous injections of psychoactive substances or smoking marijuana. Most authors tend to conclude that the use of condoms cannot effectively prevent the spread of HIV infection among intravenous drug users and cocaine users. The environment where drug addicts live also has a great influence, so long-term homelessness favors risky sexual behavior.
The current situation with the incidence of drug addiction and drug abuse in all countries cannot but influence mortality and its types. The highest percentage of deaths is caused by acute poisoning due to an overdose of psychoactive substances.
OK. Galaktionov provides data that on average in Russia, for every 100 thousand population there are 1.31 deaths of drug users. Among groups of drug addicts examined over a period of time from one to ten years, from 10 to 26% of the cohort died, which corresponded to a 10-30 times higher overall mortality rate among peers, and in some regions up to 30-60 times.
The average age of the deceased was 24.5–27.5 years. The ratio of males to females ranges from 4:1 to 8:1.
Do you agree with all the facts and examples? Give reasons for your conclusion. (A brief discussion ensues.)
Speaker
1.
AIDS is a deep damage to the human cellular immune system, clinically manifested by the development of progressive infectious diseases and malignant neoplasms.
AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is caused by a specific virus. This virus enters the blood and damages a certain type of white blood cells (lymphocytes), which are an important part of the body's defense (immune) system. As a result, the infected person becomes “defenseless” against germs and tumors. The disease develops slowly over several years. The only sign of the disease may be enlargement of several lymph nodes. Then the temperature rises, prolonged intestinal disorders, sweating, and weight loss begin. Subsequently, inflammation of the lungs, pustular and herpetic skin lesions, sepsis (infection) of the blood, and malignant tumors, mainly of the skin, occur. All this leads to the death of the patient.
Speaker
2.
How to fight AIDS?
All experts in the world now agree that the most important means of combating AIDS is health education.
So far, no effective drugs have been found that can cure AIDS or kill the virus that has entered the human body, although there is already encouraging information from research working on this problem.
So, the main measure to prevent AIDS should be a negative attitude towards sexual perversions and promiscuity, casual sexual relations.
As a special preventive measure, the use of a physical contraceptive - a condom - should be highlighted.
Persons prone to homosexual relationships and drug addiction must understand that such habits become extremely detrimental not only to their health, but also to the lives of those around them.
AIDS is a serious and dangerous disease. It is easier to prevent than to treat. And since preventive measures are in the hands of every person, they should be used for the benefit of the health of themselves and those around them.
Speaker
3.
Who has AIDS?
Analysis of data on several thousand patients registered in developed countries showed that among patients:
7.7% - homosexual men or men who have had sex with both men and women, and persons who are promiscuous;
15% are drug addicts who use drugs intravenously;
1% - persons who received multiple blood transfusions;
1% - children born to mothers infected with AIDS;
5% - the route of infection is not clear due to the death of the patient or refusal to provide the necessary information.
Did these facts excite you?
(A brief discussion ensues.)
Speaker
1.
How can you get infected with AIDS?
As a result of studying several thousand patients registered in the world, it was found that the AIDS virus is transmitted:
during sexual contact with a patient or infected with the AIDS virus, more often during sexual perversion. Using a condom reduces the risk of infection;
as a result of the use of non-sterile syringes for injection, mainly in drug addiction;
by introducing blood or blood products containing a virus;
from a pregnant woman infected with AIDS to a newborn.
The AIDS virus is not transmitted through the air by talking, coughing, etc. When using shared utensils and other household items, bathrooms, bathrooms, swimming pools, etc., you cannot become infected with AIDS.
Not a single case of AIDS infection occurred through casual contact or contact at work. Not a single medical worker became infected while providing care to AIDS patients (provided that he did not come into contact with the patient’s blood, for example, through a bleeding wound).
Every person should be aware of the peculiarities of sexual behavior, which in themselves pose a real threat to the health and life of themselves and those around them.
It has now been firmly established that the main route of transmission of HIV and/or the spread of AIDS in the human population is sexual. This is not surprising, because the causative agent is most often found in the blood, semen and vaginal secretions of infected people. Sexual contacts between people also play a major epidemiological role in the spread of infection. The peculiarity of this route of transmission of the virus is that the most dangerous route, from an epidemiological point of view, turned out to be the route of transmission of the virus from an infected person to a healthy person during sexual intercourse between men. Such acts are accompanied by damage (cracks, tears) to the mucous membrane of the rectum, which has an abundant blood supply, which greatly facilitates the possibility of the virus entering the body of a sexual partner. In terms of the potential risk of infection, such sexual acts undoubtedly take first place.
Speaker
2.
How to protect yourself from AIDS?
To protect yourself from AIDS, you need to avoid casual sexual contact with drug addicts and people who are promiscuous.
The more sexual partners you have, the higher your risk of contracting AIDS. Using a condom dramatically reduces the risk of such infection. Don't forget to get your blood tested for HIV sometimes.
Can you use these tips as a basis for your everyday life? (A brief discussion ensues.)
Mini-results of the class hour.
