Learning about HIV

A Lesson Plan from Rights, Respect, Responsibility: A K-12 Curriculum

Fostering respect and responsibility through age-appropriate sexuality education.

ADVANCE PREPARATION FOR LESSON:

NSES ALIGNMENT:
It is helpful for students to have a basic understanding of the human
By the end of 5th grade, students immune system, how it works, and the concept of germs. The teacher
will be able to:
should also review the teacher’s resource included with this lesson to
SH.5.CC.1 – Define HIV and make sure to be up to date on information about HIV and AIDS. Finally,
identify some age-appropriate the teacher should also be prepared not to discuss explicit sexual
methods of transmission, as well
as ways to prevent transmission. situations but to refer a student with such a question
to ask an adult family member.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
TARGET GRADE: Grade 5
Lesson 3 By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
1. Define HIV as a virus that is transmitted through bodily fluids
that weakens your immune system. [Knowledge]
TIME: 40 Minutes

2. Identify at least two ways in which HIV can be transmitted.

MATERIALS NEEDED: [Knowledge]
• Newsprint/Board
• Markers/chalk 3. Identify at least two ways in which HIV is not transmitted.
• Handout: “Facts about HIV” – [Knowledge]
one per student
• “Teacher’s Resource: HIV 4. Identify at least one way to prevent HIV transmission.
Infection and AIDS” – one copy
for the teacher [Knowledge]
• Answer Key: “Facts about HIV”
– one copy for the teacher 5. Identify at least one treatment for HIV. [Knowledge]

PROCEDURE:
STEP 1: Begin the activity by introducing the difference between
communicable and non-communicable disease. Explain that
communicable diseases are diseases that one person can give to
another; or get from someone else. Ask students to raise their hands
and give examples of communicable diseases (some responses may
include: the common cold, stomach virus, the flu) Say “Communicable
diseases are caused by tiny organisms or germs that are contagious.
Not all infections, however, are contagious. Then say, “Non-
communicable diseases are those that cannot be spread from one
person to another.” Ask for examples of non-communicable diseases,
or infections (Some responses may include: appendicitis, an infected
finger, asthma, cancer.) (3 minutes)
STEP 2: Tell students you are going to name some different medical
problems people may have and they should tell you whether they are
communicable or not. Ask:

R E V. DATE 1 2/1 /20 17

Learning about HIV
A Lesson Plan from Rights, Respect,
Responsibility: A K-12 Curriculum

• Can you get a sore throat from someone? (YES)

• Can you get allergies from someone? (NO)
• Can you get a broken arm from someone? (NO)
• Can you get lice from someone? (YES)
• Can you get cavities from someone? (NO)

Ask students if they have any questions about whether a certain illness is communicable
(contagious). Respond to students’ questions by giving the correct answer and then
explaining why (if it is non-communicable, either it is caused by a germ that is not
contagious or it is not caused by a germ at all.) If you are unsure, tell the student you are
unsure and that you will find out and let them know. (3 minutes)
STEP 3: Tell students that today you want to talk about a particular communicable
infection called HIV. Ask students what have they heard of HIV. As you write “human
immunodeficiency” on the board, say, “‘HIV’ stands for ‘Human Immunodeficiency Virus.’
That’s a big name, so let’s break it down a bit. ‘Human’ means it is a people disease. You
can’t get it from a pet or give it to a pet. ‘Immunodeficiency’ is really two words put together.
‘Immuno’ refers to the immune system, or the system that enables us to fight diseases. A
‘deficiency’ refers to when something is lacking – so basically, HIV is a virus – a microscopic
organism – that attacks our immune system and makes it weak so it’s harder for the body to
fight off other infections. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS.” (5 minutes)
STEP 4: Tell students that the way we usually keep people from getting a virus is by giving
them a vaccine, which is an injection or a shot that they get that protects them from getting
a particular infection for many years. Say “Just like a lot of people get a flu vaccine, a lot of
children get a vaccine for the chicken pox and for the measles.” Explain that there is not a
vaccine for HIV. Tell students that there are some effective treatments, called antiretroviral
therapy, that can reduce the likelihood of transmitting HIV to others, slow the way HIV grows
in a person’s body and prolong the life of someone living with HIV. There are also treatments
for the illnesses that HIV can cause. But once someone is living with HIV, there currently
is no way to rid the body completely of HIV, although with treatment, people living with HIV
can have a normal life expectancy. Since there is no vaccine to prevent HIV and there is
no way to rid the body of HIV once someone has it, it is very important to know how HIV is
transmitted—so we can know how to avoid getting it or manage the virus if we were born
with it.” (3 minutes)
STEP 5: Say: “Luckily, HIV is hard to get. It is not an easy infection to transmit like a cold
or the flu. HIV is in some bodily fluids, like blood, and not in others, like sweat, tears, saliva
or urine. HIV can only be transmitted through one of the infected body fluids. HIV can
be passed through blood, semen or vaginal fluids. In addition, it can be passed through
breastmilk if someone is breastfeeding an infant.”
Say, “It is very important to remember that HIV can only be passed from a person who is
living with HIV. If two people are not infected then neither one can give it to the other.”
(6 minutes)
Learning about HIV
A Lesson Plan from Rights, Respect,
Responsibility: A K-12 Curriculum

STEP 6: Distribute the handout, “Facts about HIV.” Have students work in pairs to complete
the worksheet. Allow 8 minutes for students to do this. Once all have been completed,
review the questions with the class. All answers are TRUE. For each question, provide the
answer as well as an explanation for why it is true (See teacher’s guide with explanations.)
(16 minutes)
STEP 7: Tell students, “Now that you know that HIV is not easy to transmit, can anyone give
an example of some things you can do with a friend or a family member who is infected with
HIV that are perfectly safe, meaning they can’t transmit HIV?” Provide the first few examples
so students understand what you are asking. Say, “For example, you can hug someone with
HIV, you can give someone a kiss on the cheek, you can share food with them. Who wants
to give us another example?” (Possible responses can include a wide range of behaviors
including sitting on a toilet someone with HIV has sat on, swimming in a pool together, sitting
next to an HIV-positive person, going to school with someone who has HIV, etc.)
(3 minutes)
STEP 8: Conclude the lesson by saying, “HIV is a serious infection and it is communicable
but it is also very difficult to catch. As long as we know how HIV is and is not transmitted, we
can protect ourselves and be good friends and family members to people we know with HIV
or AIDS. All people are at some risk of HIV and the only way to know for sure if someone
has HIV is to get tested.” (1 minute)

RECOMMENDED ASSESSMENT OF LEARNING OBJECTIVES AT CONCLUSION

OF LESSON:
The worksheet “Facts about HIV” is designed to assess objectives one, two, three and five.
Additionally, through step eight, the teacher can further assess students’ understanding of
HIV transmission by their responses to ways they can safely interact with people with HIV to
assess objective four.

HOMEWORK:
None.
Facts about HIV
Answer Key

FACTS ABOUT HIV

(TRUE OR FALSE)

Directions: Write TRUE next to those statements that are true, and FALSE next to those
statements that are false.
1. You cannot get HIV by being in the same room with a person who is living with HIV.
(True: HIV is not transmissible through the air)
2. So far, there is no vaccine to prevent HIV.
(True: Researchers are working on a vaccine and there will likely be one in the future.
There is an injection a person can take every day that can make it harder to contract
HIV but it is not a vaccine)
3. HIV cannot be transmitted by sneezing.
(True: HIV is not transmissible through the air through sneezing or coughing)
4. HIV is a communicable (contagious) disease.
(True: But it is not an easy infection to transmit)
5. You cannot get HIV from sharing a drink.
(True: HIV is not found in saliva)
6. HIV affects the body’s immune system.
(True: HIV attacks the immune system and makes it weaker, making it harder to fight
infections)
7. AIDS and HIV are two different things.
(True: AIDS describes when a person with HIV gets sick because their immune
system can no longer fight off infections. It can take years, some times as much as 10
years for a person with HIV to develop AIDS).
8. If you come into contact with the blood of someone who is NOT living with HIV you cannot
get HIV.
(True: HIV can only be transmitted from a person who already is infected. If two
people are not infected, then neither one can transmit it to the other.)
9. Someone who uses the same needle as someone who is living with HIV to use drugs,
can contract HIV.
(True: Sharing needles for drug use with someone living with HIV is one of the easiest
ways to get HIV. Stopping injection drug use can lower the chances of getting HIV a
lot as can using new, sterile needles instead of sharing needles. The only certain way
to prevent HIV and other STDs is abstinence from sexual activity and drug use.)
10. If someone with HIV is bleeding, they can transmit HIV to someone else.
(True: HIV infection is transmissible from infected blood. The other person would
need to have a cut on their own skin, however, in order for the virus to get into their
body.)
Facts about HIV
Handout

FACTS ABOUT HIV

(TRUE OR FALSE)

Directions: Write TRUE next to those statements that are true, and FALSE next to those
statements that are false.

1. You cannot get HIV by being in the same room with a person who is living
with HIV.

2. So far, there is no vaccine to prevent HIV.

3. HIV cannot be transmitted by sneezing.

4. HIV is a communicable (contagious) disease.

5. You cannot get HIV from sharing a drink.

6. HIV affects the body’s immune system.

7. AIDS and HIV are two different things.

8. If you come into contact with the blood of someone who is NOT living with
HIV
you cannot get HIV.

9. Someone who uses the same needle as someone who is living with HIV to
use
drugs, can contract HIV.

10. If someone with HIV is bleeding, they can transmit HIV to someone else.
HIV Infection and AIDS
Teacher’s Resource

NOTE: This Is for your use only, it Is not a Handout. DO NOT DISTRIBUTE TO THE CHILDREN.

STDs and HIV – CDC Fact Sheet

Are some STDs associated with HIV?

Yes. In the United States, people who get syphilis, gonorrhea,
and herpes often also have HIV, or are more likely to get HIV in
the future.

Why does having an STD put me more at risk for

getting HIV?
If you get an STD you are more likely to get HIV than someone who
is STD-free. This is because the same behaviors and circumstances
that may put you at risk for getting an STD can also put you at
greater risk for getting HIV. In addition, having a sore or break in the
skin from an STD may allow HIV to more easily enter your body.

What activities can put me at risk for both STDs and HIV?
People who have STDs
• Having anal, vaginal, or oral sex without a condom;
are more likely to get
• Having multiple sex partners;
HIV, when compared
• Having anonymous sex partners;
to people who do not
• Having sex while under the influence of drugs or alcohol can
have STDs. lower inhibitions and result in greater sexual risk-taking.

What can I do to prevent getting STDs and HIV?

The only way to avoid STDs is to not have vaginal, anal, or oral sex.
If you are sexually active, you can do the following things to lower
your chances of getting STDs and HIV:

• Choose less risky sexual behaviors.

• Use condoms consistently and correctly.

• Reduce the number of people with whom you have sex.

• Limit or eliminate drug and alcohol use before and during sex.

• Have an honest and open talk with your healthcare provider

and ask whether you should be tested for STDs and HIV.

• Talk to your healthcare provider and find out if pre-exposure

prophylaxis, or PrEP, is a good option for you to prevent
HIV infection.

National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention

Division of STD Prevention

CS253057A
If I already have HIV, and then I get an STD, does that put my sex Where can I get more
partner(s) at an increased risk for getting HIV? information?
It can. If you already have HIV, and then get another STD, it can put your
HIV-negative partners at greater risk of getting HIV from you. Sexually Transmitted Diseases
www.cdc.gov/std/
Your sex partners are less likely to get HIV from you if you

• Use antiretroviral therapy (ART). ART reduces the amount of virus HIV/AIDS and STDs
(viral load) in your blood and body fluids. ART can keep you healthy www.cdc.gov/std/hiv/
for many years, and greatly reduce your chance of transmitting HIV to
sex partners, if taken consistently.
PrEP
(pre-exposure prophylaxis)
• Choose less risky sexual behaviors. www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/prep.
html
• Use condoms consistently and correctly.

The risk of getting HIV may also be reduced if your partner takes pre- CDC-INFO Contact Center
exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, after discussing this option with his or her 1-800-CDC-INFO
healthcare provider and determining whether it is appropriate. (1-800-232-4636)
TTY: (888) 232-6348
Will treating STDs prevent me from getting HIV? https://wwwn.cdc.gov/
dcs/ContactUs/Form
No. It’s not enough.

If you get treated for an STD, this will help to prevent its complications, and CDC National Prevention
prevent spreading STDs to your sex partners. Treatment for an STD other Information Network (NPIN)
than HIV does not prevent the spread of HIV. npin.cdc.gov/disease/stds
P.O. Box 6003
If you are diagnosed with an STD, talk to your doctor about ways to protect Rockville, MD 20849-6003
yourself and your partner(s) from getting reinfected with the same STD, or E-mail: [email protected]
getting HIV.
American Sexual Health
Association (ASHA)
www.ashasexualhealth.org/
stdsstis/
P. O. Box 13827
Research Triangle Park, NC
27709-3827
1-800-783-9877

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