Vocabulary words

• Immune System
• HIV
• AIDS
• Anonymous testing
Let us Learn about HIV/AIDS • Confidential testing
•
Millions of people around the world die from AIDS every year. No matter where we come
from, or where we go, HIV/AIDS can be around the corner. It is up to us to protect ourselves
from this disease. So, let us do something about it. Let us learn basic things. What is
HIV/AIDS? How can you get it? How do you protect yourself from it? How do you know if
you have it? Let us start with…

F What is HIV/AIDS?

O Many people confuse HIV with AIDS. They think they mean the same thing. However, they
are not the same. HIV is a virus that causes AIDS. AIDS is the final stage of an HIV
R infection.

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. When the HIV virus enters the body, the
person starts losing the ability to fight off infections. Why? Because the virus attacks the
immune system of the person. As the virus grows inside the body, it makes the immune
Y system weaker.

O AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. AIDS happens when a person with
HIV gets very sick. He/she gets many different illnesses at the same time. They are difficult
to treat.
U Once people have HIV/AIDS, they will have it for the rest of their lives.
R How do people get HIV?

The HIV virus lives in body fluids. Body fluids are blood, semen, vaginal and anal fluids, and
H breast milk.. These liquids can carry the HIV virus from one person to another. How could
this happen? Here are the ways you get HIV:

E
Having unprotected vaginal, oral, or anal sex with a person who has HIV.
(unprotected = without using a condom)
A



Using a needle infected with HIV to inject drugs, vitamins, or to get a tattoo.
Passing the virus through breast milk, from mother to the baby.

L The HIV virus CANNOT be passed from one person to another in these ways:

If a person with the virus coughs or sneezes near you.
T



If a person with the virus hugs you or holds your hand.
If a person with the virus shares the same toilet with you.

If a person with the virus shares the same silverware with you.
H How can I protect myself from getting HIV?

The best way to protect yourself is by practicing safe sex. Here are some ideas:

Developed by the National Center for Farmworker Health, Inc. - Austin, TX with funding from the Opportunities for Success for
Out-of-School Youth (OSY) Migrant Education Program consortium grant

Have sex with only one person. Make sure that person has sex with you only.

Limit your sex partners. The fewer sex partners you have, the less risk you have of becoming
infected with HIV.

Limit use of alcohol or other drugs. People who use drugs or drink alcohol are more likely to
have sex without a condom.

Do not share needles or other equipment. Every time someone shares a needle, they are at risk
of being infected with HIV.

Practice safe sex. Use condoms every time you have sex.

How do I know if I have HIV?

You need to get an HIV test to know if you have the virus. To get the test done you MUST ask for the test.
Doctors DO NOT do this test during a regular check-up. Clinics offer two types of tests: anonymous and
confidential. Ask your doctor about being tested.

Vocabulary & Definitions

Let us Learn about HIV/AIDS

Immune System: Our body’s defense system. It helps fight off diseases.

HIV: The virus that causes AIDS. This virus attacks the immune system. It keeps the body from
fighting off many different illnesses. The letters HIV stand for:
o Human - the HIV virus only affects humans.
o Immune-deficiency - the immune system of a person infected is weak.
o Virus - the type of germ that causes AIDS.

AIDS: The final stage of an HIV infection. When a person has AIDS, that means that the virus has
weakened the immune system to the point at which the body has almost no defense. At this
stage, the person may develop many other diseases and may die. The letters AIDS stand
for:
o Acquired - the virus only passes from one person to another
o Immune - it affects the immune system.
o Deficiency - the immune system is weak.
o Syndrome - AIDS is more than one disease.

Anonymous testing: When you get an HIV test, you DO NOT need to give any personal information. Your test
results will be linked to a different name or number, but not your personal information.

Confidential testing: When you get an HIV test, the clinic will request your contact information. The clinic will not
share it with anyone, unless it is medically necessary.

Do you want to know where you can get HIV testing?

Call the Call for Health line at
1-800-377-9968

Developed by the National Center for Farmworker Health, Inc. - Austin, TX with funding from the Opportunities for Success for
Out-of-School Youth (OSY) Migrant Education Program consortium grant
 Let us Learn about HIV/AIDS Name: _______________________________
Practice Worksheet Date: _______________________________

Let us Read!

Pedro is a farmworker who has been away from his family and friends for 3 years. He travels a lot, and he never
stays in one place for more than 4 months. This lifestyle has been hard on him. He gets very lonely and has
made some bad decisions during these times. He has been drinking alcohol and using drugs with some friends.
He has had sex with many women and sometimes he has not used condoms. He does not feel well, and he
realizes he needs to go to the doctor to find out what is happening to him.

1. Do you think Pedro can get HIV? Why?

_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________

2. How can he find out if he has HIV?

_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________

3. What can you do to protect yourself from HIV?

_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________

Which of these things can put you in danger of getting HIV? Circle only one.

Hugging Getting a tattoo Holding hands Sharing a toilet

True or False? (Listening Activity)

Listen to your teacher’s instructions carefully.

True or False?
Sentence True False
1
2
3
4
5

Developed by the National Center for Farmworker Health, Inc. - Austin, TX with funding from the Opportunities for Success for
Out-of-School Youth (OSY) Migrant Education Program consortium grant
 Lesson Plan

Let us Learn about HIV/AIDS

Materials needed Handouts Estimated time

• Dry erase board and dry • “Let us Learn about HIV/AIDS” Lesson • 1 Hour
erase markers • “Listening Activity” Handout
• Pencils • Skills Practice Worksheet
• Pre-post Workshop Survey
NOTE TO INSTRUCTOR: To accommodate the literacy levels and educational experiences of the
participants, oral and/or group activities may be substituted for reading, writing, skills practice, and
survey activities.

Elements Activities Notes

Preparation • Introduce the topic 1. Have you heard about HIV/AIDS?
Time: 5 minutes What have you heard?
2. Who can get HIV?
3. How can a person get HIV?

• Conduct the Pre-Test • Distribute Pre-Test, and ask students

Time: 5 minutes to turn it in when it is complete.

• Introduce the new vocabulary • Write the vocabulary words on the

Time: 5 minutes board, and ask the students to read
them aloud. Ask the students if they
know what they mean. Provide
students with the definitions (use the
“Let us Learn about HIV/AIDS”
Lesson).
Instructions • Read the lesson on “Let us Learn • Instructor leads guided reading of
about HIV/AIDS” topic.
Time: 10 minutes
• Identify the vocabulary words in • Students identify the vocabulary
the reading words by circling them in the lesson.
Time: 5 minutes
• Review the Skills Practice • Instructor distributes Skills Practice
Worksheet with the students, Worksheet and reviews it with
and ask them to complete it. students. Instructor provides
Time: 25 minutes students with 10 minutes to answer
the first two activities.
• Once the students complete activity
1 and 2, the instructor reviews their
answers.
• For activity 3, use the Listening
Activity Handout and follow the
instructions specified.
Concept Check • Conduct Post Test • Students complete Post Test
Time: 5 minutes
Developed by the National Center for Farmworker Health, Inc. - Austin, TX with funding from the Opportunities for Success for
Out-of-School Youth (OSY) Migrant Education Program consortium grant
 Listening Activity
Let us Learn about HIV/AIDS

Listening Activity
True or False?

Purpose: To practice listening comprehension

Time: 10 minutes

1. Tell your students that in this activity they will practice their listening
comprehension skills.
2. Let them know that you are going to read 5 sentences out loud.
3. Let them know that after you finish reading each sentence, they need to
answer whether the statement is true or false by checking the appropriate
circle.
4. At the end, check the student’s answers to make sure they are correct. If
some students do not have the right answer, invite other students to
participate in the discussion until the information is clarified.

True or False?

Sentences True False

1) The immune system helps us fight infections.
2) The HIV virus does not attack our immune system.
3) The HIV virus can live in the blood, semen and vaginal fluids.
4) If you use a condom correctly, you will not protect yourself from HIV.
5) The only way to know if you have HIV is by getting an HIV test.

Developed by the National Center for Farmworker Health, Inc. - Austin, TX with funding from the Opportunities for Success for
Out-of-School Youth (OSY) Migrant Education Program consortium grant
 Let Us Learn About HIV/AIDS Date: ____________________________
Pre-Assessment Name: ____________________________

Circle the correct answer.

1. Do the words HIV and AIDS mean two Yes No

different things?

2. Which of the following are ways you a. getting a tattoo

could get the HIV virus? b. having sex without a condom
c. drinking breast milk
d. all of the above

3. What is the best way to find out if you get a ask your doctor
may have HIV? blood test

4. AIDS is the final stage of an HIV True False

infection.

5. Are you safe from the virus if a person Yes No

with HIV sneezes near you?

Total Correct:_______

Developed by the National Center for Farmworker Health, Inc. – Buda, TX with funding from the Strategies, Opportunities
and Services to Out of-School Youth (SOSOSY) Migrant Education Program Consortium Grant (2013)
 Let Us Learn About HIV/AIDS Date: ____________________________
Post-Assessment Name: ____________________________

Circle the correct answer.

1. Do the words HIV and AIDS mean two Yes No

different things?

2. Which of the following are ways you a. getting a tattoo

could get the HIV virus? b. having sex without a condom
c. drinking breast milk
d. all of the above

3. What is the best way to find out if you get a ask your
may have HIV? blood test doctor

4. AIDS is the final stage of an HIV True False

infection.

5. Are you safe from the virus if a person Yes No

with HIV sneezes near you?

6. What do you need to do to protect yourself from HIV?

_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Total Correct:_______

Developed by the National Center for Farmworker Health, Inc. – Buda, TX with funding from the Strategies, Opportunities
and Services to Out of-School Youth (SOSOSY) Migrant Education Program Consortium Grant (2013)