Sexually transmissible infections and blood-borne virus risks.
Background Information
Background notes
Click on the following for background information for teaching this activity:
- Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) and Blood-Borne Viruses (BBV)
- BBVs = blood-borne viruses
- STIs (previously known as STDs) = sexually transmissible infections.
Teaching Note
One of the aims of school sexuality education is to provide students with the information and skills necessary to make informed decisions. For students this age, abstinence is an important message. Research shows, however, that a significant proportion of secondary school students have had, or are thinking of having sexual intercourse (La Trobe University, 2002). Therefore, some activities in this curriculum will include reference to sexual intercourse. In all discussion, abstinence should be emphasised as being the safest choice for people their age.
Factual versus Functional knowledge - Important messages for youth
- STI rates are high among young people
- Most people will not have any visible symptoms
- Condoms provide good protection, but are not 100% safe. Herpes and Human Papollomavirus (HPV) can be transmitted even when condoms are used as condoms only offer protection over the areas they cover.
- Most STIs are curable if caught early (chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, pubic lice, scabies)
- Some STIs & BBVs are preventable with vaccination (hepatitis A&B, HPV)
- Some STIs & BBVs are only treatable NOT curable (hepatitis C, HIV, herpes, HPV)
- If sexually active, it is important to get tested at least once a year and use condoms. Chlamydia testing is available online through www.GetTheFacts.health.wa.gov.au
See the following to gain a background for teaching this activity with your students:
