1.

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hc-ps/dc-ma/aids-sida-eng.php
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hc-ps/dc-ma/sti-its-eng.php
What does HIV and AIDS stand for?
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and Human
Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

What happens when you get these diseases?

HIV attacks the immune system, resulting in a chronic, progressive illness that
leaves infected people vulnerable to opportunistic infections and cancers. The median
time from infection to AIDS diagnosis now exceeds 10 years. AIDS is fatal if left
untreated. There is no cure.

How is HIV transmitted?

engaging in unprotected sexual intercourse (anal or vaginal)

sharing sex toys
sharing needles or equipment for injecting drugs or steroids
mother-to-child transmission during pregnancy, delivery, and breast-feeding

Why is HIV so difficult to treat or develop preventions for?

The median time from infection to AIDS diagnosis now exceeds 10 years. AIDS is
fatal if left untreated. There is no cure.

Which groups of people are most at risk today?

Go to one of the reports on AIDS. Describe two things in the report
that you did not know before about AIDS.
It is estimated that, at the end of 2011, 25% of Canadians who were living with HIV did
not know they were infected.
New HIV infections in Canada in 2011 are classified as follows:
46.6 percent were MSM
37.2 percent were heterosexuals
13.7 percent were injection drug users

4. Go to the STIs web site and describe the symptoms of each of the
following:
i) Chlamydia
Symptoms of infection for women can include:

vaginal discharge
burning sensation when urinating
pain in the lower abdomen, sometimes with fever and chills
pain during sex
vaginal bleeding between periods or after intercourse

Symptoms for men can include:

discharge from the penis

burning sensation when urinating
burning or itching at the opening of the penis
pain and/or swelling in the testicles

ii) Gonorrhea
For men who do experience symptoms, these may include:

a burning sensation when urinating

yellowish/white discharge from the penis
burning or itching at the opening of the penis
painful or swollen testicles

For women who do experience symptoms, these can include:

a burning sensation when urinating

vaginal discharge
pain in the lower abdomen
pain during sex
vaginal bleeding between periods or after sex

In both men and women, gonorrhea can infect the rectum. Symptoms of rectal infection
may include:

discharge
anal itching
soreness
bleeding
painful bowel movements

People infected through oral sex may have a sore throat.

iii) Herpes (Genital)

Women's symptoms can include:

 sores inside or near the vagina, the cervix, on the external genitals, near
the anus, or on the thighs or buttocks
tender lumps in the groin (lymphadenopathy)
Men's symptoms can include:
sores on the penis, around the testicles, near the anus, or on the thighs or
buttocks
tender lumps in the groin (lymphadenopathy)
For both men and women, the sores will usually occur on or near the area where the
virus was transmitted.

iv) Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

With an active infection, the cervical cells undergo a change. An active infection can
follow one of two courses:
The abnormal cells become normal again and the infection is inactive or
cleared from your body by your immune system. However, it is possible that an
inactive infection can become active again, for reasons that aren't clearly
understood.
The abnormal cells slowly progress to cervical cancer.
In men, the warts may appear on the penis, scrotum, thigh, anus, rectum, or in the
urethra.

v) Syphilis
In secondary syphilis, the symptoms can sometimes overlap with those of the primary
stage and vary considerably. They can include:
patchy hair loss
a rash on the soles of the feet, the palms of the hands, or elsewhere on
the body
fever
malaise
swollen glands
flat grayish-white sores in mouth and on genitals

It is at the tertiary stage that syphilis can do the most damage to the body, affecting the
brain, blood vessels, heart, and bones. If untreated, syphilis can eventually lead to
death.

5. How are each of the above treated or cured?

i) Chlamydia
The only reliable way to know if you have chlamydia is to be tested. It is diagnosed
through a urine sample or by swabbing the infected area and is treated with antibiotics.

ii) Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea can be treated with antibiotics, though the infection is becoming increasingly
resistant to antibiotics.

iii) Herpes (Genital)

There is no vaccine or cure, but antiviral medication can help ease the pain associated
with the sores and control recurrent episodes.

iv) Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

There is no cure for HPV infections, but many of the symptoms are treatable.

v) Syphilis
Syphilis is diagnosed through a simple blood test and is easily treated with penicillin or
other antibiotics.

6. What are the consequences of each of these diseases?

i) Chlamydia
For up to 40 percent of infected women, untreated chlamydia can lead to pelvic
inflammatory disease (PID). Men can develop scarring of the urethra, making urination
difficult and occasionally causing infertility. Although rare, both sexes are at risk of a
type of arthritis known as Reiter's Syndrome that causes inflammation and swelling of
the joints. If a pregnant woman has chlamydia, her baby may be born prematurely, have
eye infections or develop pneumonia.

ii) Gonorrhea
In women, untreated gonorrhea can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).Men can
develop epididymitis, a painful inflammation in the tubes attached to the testicles. If left
untreated, it can on rare occasions lead to infertility.If left untreated, both sexes are at
risk of the infection spreading through the bloodstream and infecting other parts of the

body, including joints. This condition can be life-threatening.If a pregnant woman has
gonorrhea, the infection can be passed to the baby in the birth canal during delivery,
causing blindness, joint infection, or a life-threatening blood infection.

iii) Herpes (Genital)

Pain and discomfort are the main health effects of genital herpes, but the virus can also
cause emotional and social problems for those infected. Although it cannot be cured,
genital herpes can be managed with antiviral medication that may help control the
recurrences. On rare occasions, genital herpes may cause serious complications such
as blindness and inflammation of the brain.
Genital herpes can sometimes be passed from an infected mother to her child during
pregnancy or birth. The infection can be life-threatening to the child or result in skin
lesions or brain damage. Antiviral medication and a cesarean delivery can reduce the
risk of infecting the child.

iv) Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

HPV causes almost all cervical cancers but is also linked to cancer of the throat, oral
cavity, penis, anus, vagina or vulva. More research is needed to define the extent of
these linkages.Anogenital warts, although rarely associated with cancer, are still a
significant burden for those affected often leading to physical, emotional and social
problems.

v) Syphilis
In primary syphilis, a painless open sore or ulcer appears at the site where the bacteria
first entered the body, usually the genital area, throat, or anus, and swollen glands may
be present in the groin. Symptoms can occur within a few days or a couple of months
after infection. Because the ulcer is usually painless and hidden, you may not be aware
you are infected. While the sore may go away on its own without treatment, the infection
will remain and progress to secondary syphilis.

7. Find a RELIABLE source to describe the different types of hepatitis:

i) Hep A
Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus.
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hepatitis-a/basics/definition/con20022163

ii) Hep B
Hepatitis B is a serious liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV)
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hepatitis-b/basics/definition/con20022210

iii) Hep C
Hepatitis C is a chronic liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV)
http://healthycanadians.gc.ca/diseases-conditions-maladies-affections/diseasemaladie/hepc-eng.php

8. What are the symptoms of hepatitis?

i) Hep A

Fatigue
Nausea and vomiting
Abdominal pain or discomfort, especially in the area of your liver on

your right side beneath your lower ribs

Clay-colored bowel movements

Loss of appetite

Low-grade fever

Dark urine

Joint pain

Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hepatitisa/basics/symptoms/con-20022163
ii) Hep B

Abdominal pain
Dark urine
Fever
Joint pain
Loss of appetite
Nausea and vomiting
Weakness and fatigue
Yellowing of your skin and the whites of your eyes (jaundice)
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hepatitis-

b/basics/symptoms/con-20022210

iii) Hep C
Because many people do not have symptoms when they are infected, it is important for
those at risk to take action to avoid infecting others. HCV is spread through contact with
infected blood.

9. Describe the treatments or cures?

i) Hep A

No specific treatment exists for hepatitis A. Your body will clear the hepatitis A virus on
its own. In most cases of hepatitis A, the liver heals within six months with no lasting
damage.
Hepatitis A treatment usually focuses on coping with your signs and symptoms. You
may need to:

Rest. Many people with hepatitis A infection feel tired and sick and

have less energy.

Cope with nausea. Nausea can make it difficult to eat. Try

snacking throughout the day rather than eating full meals. To get enough
calories, eat more high-calorie foods. For instance, drink fruit juice or milk
rather than water.

Rest your liver. Your liver may have difficulty processing

medications and alcohol. Review your medications, including over-thecounter drugs, with your doctor. Don't drink alcohol while infected with
hepatitis.

ii) Hep B
If you know you've been exposed to the hepatitis B virus, call your doctor immediately. If
you haven't been vaccinated or aren't sure whether you've been vaccinated or whether
you responded to the vaccination, receiving an injection of hepatitis B immune globulin
within 12 hours of coming in contact with the virus may help protect you from developing
hepatitis B. You should be vaccinated at the same time.

iii) Hep C
Currently, there is no vaccine to prevent HCV infection, but effective treatment involving
a combination of the drugs interferon and ribavirin is available. Treatment can take from
24 to 72 weeks. The effectiveness of the treatment depends on a variety of factors.

l0. What are the consequences of each of the three types of hepatitis?
i) Hep A
ii) Hep B
iii) Hep C

HCV attacks the liver, an essential organ that acts as a filter for chemicals and toxins
that enter the body. The liver also helps in the digestion of food, stores vitamins and
minerals, and aids in the manufacture of blood.