1.2 Hiv and aids:how can it be prevented or handled?

Life orientation

Grade 6

Healthy lifestyle

Module 3

Hiv and aids: a contagious disease. how can it be prevented or handled?

In South Africa more than 3 million people are currently HIV positive. This disease affects men, women and children of all ages, occupations and population groups in all the provinces of our country. If the current rate of infection does not decrease, one in every four people in the country will be HIV positive by the year 2010. Within 10 years the disease will result in three-quarters of a million South African children being orphans.

How can you prevent contracting the disease?

You have already learned the following in Grade 5:

1. Regard the problem in a serious light and make sure that you know how the disease is spread.
2. Make use of every possible opportunity to gain more knowledge of the disease.
3. Sex must be safe, but should be delayed for as long as possible anyway.
4. Never touch blood. If someone is injured and bleeding, rather call an adult. If there is a possibility of your touching the blood, pull a plastic bag without any holes over your hands. It is even better to wear rubber gloves.
5. Never use old syringes or needles in any way.
6. If you want to have your ears pierced or have a tattoo on your body, make sure that you have it done in a clean, reputable place where the needles are sterilised.

9. It is better to avoid alcohol or drugs completely, as they could prevent you from being able to protect yourself against being infected with the virus.

Activity 1:

To discuss strategies on how to handle a disease

[lo 1.3]

The following is a list of ways in which one can handle a serious disease so that the sick person, as well as the people around him/her who are also affected by the situation, can continue with their lives in the most positive manner possible.

Each group must choose at least two of these strategies, discuss them and make new recommendations on how to handle the disease.

• Gain information about the disease.
• Always remain hopeful.
• Ask relatives to help.
• Pray for the person.
• Go to a clinic or hospital for help.
• Keep all eating utensils clean.
• Prepare special food for the affected person.
• Contact the local hospice.
• Be mindful of symptoms that might indicate that you have possibly contracted the disease.

Activity 2:

To plan and enact short playlets

[lo 1.3]

Plan and enact short playlets or scenes where you depict the following characters:

1. A seriously ill person

2. A doctor

3. The mother or father of the ill person

4. The sister or brother of the ill person

5. The child of the ill person

6. A spiritual person, e.g. a minister or priest

REMEMBER: Decide what disease the patient is suffering from. For the purpose of this role-play you must choose a life-threatening disease. Afterwards you must discuss the contribution made by each character in this situation.

Assessment