j----_. - New York Civil Liberties Union

Mahopac 494
Teacher Notes on Lesson 36c r> v..
Background
This Jesson is intended to be taught as part of Lessons #36a and #36b,
so please review those teacher notes and lessons.
Students must recognize that abstinence will prevent pregnancy.
They must also recognize that a woman may contract AIDS from
illegal drug use (intravenous) or sexual intercourse with an infected
partner (she may not know a person is infected if he is asymptomatic)
and that there are blood tests that can detect the presence of the
AIDS virus in a person's blood. Refer to Lesson #3'7for information
about the limitations of tests when they are performed at early stages
of infection.
The unborn baby may contract the AIDS virus during the perinatal
period (prior to birth or immediately after birth). Approximately
one-third of the babies born to AIDS-infected mothers will also be
infected with the AIDS virus. Both prospective mothers and fathers
should obtain the AIDS virus antibody test if there is a suspicion that
they have been exposed to the AIDS virus. You may wish to refer to
the Appendix section on "Current Information on AIDS" for infor- (' . '\)
mation related to risk factors. ,
Teacher Vocabulary AIDS virus (HIV) test -- A test used to detect antibodies against the
AIDS virus (HIV) in blood samples. This test does not detect
AIDS but rather the presence of the virus that can cause AIDS.
Asymptomatic - No apparent symptoms of illness even though the
individual tests positive for HIV.
Birth - The act or process of being born.
Blood transfer - The act of transmitting blood from one individual
to another. In pregnancy it would occur between the mother and
unborn baby through maternal/fetal circulation.
Fetus - Unborn baby developing in the uterus after the end of the
second month of pregnancy. Before eight weeks the unborn baby
is called an embryo.
Infected partner - Individual in a sexual relationship who is carrying
the AIDS virus (HIV) in his/her body.
Intravenous drugs .- Drugs that are administered through a needle
and syringe and injected directly into a vein and thus into the
bloodstream.
Pregnancy
- The condition of having a developing embryo or fetus
in the body. (continued on next page) (
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