Students will be able to generalize:

1. How STIs are transmitted,
2. The types of symptoms STIs produce,
3. The importance of seeking treatment for STIs,
4. How to prevent getting STIs, and
5. What to do if they get an STI.

50-60 Minutes

1. Collect or purchase up-to-date pamphlets or fact sheets about six or seven different STIs, (e.g., herpes, gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, hepatitis B, HIV, genital warts). Check that the pamphlets match the group’s reading level.
   
   Fact sheets are available on-line at Its Your (Sex) Life’s Know Your STDs and Planned Parenthood Federation of America’s STIs: The Facts.
   
   
2. List the six to seven STIs to be addressed on the board.
   
   
3. Also list the five general areas of information to be covered: transmission, symptoms, treatment, prevention and responsibility.
   

Introduce the Activity

1. Explain to students that there are more than 30 STIs, and sometimes it may be overwhelming to know enough about all of them to protect ourselves from infection. The good news is that there are really only five general areas of information that people need to know to protect themselves from STIs. These areas are:

2. Tell students they'll work in small groups to make a poster about one STI. They will be given a pamphlet or fact sheet for a specific STI, and they will make a poster that answers questions about each general area of information.
   
   
3. Tell students that if the pamphlet or fact sheet does not specifically present information on prevention or responsibility, they should do their best to generate their own ideas for the poster.
   
   
4. Set parameters for the explicitness of the posters to reflect the maturity of your audience and the standards of the sponsoring agency. (When working in mainstream classrooms, tell students that a guideline is to make a poster that would not shock a principal or parent entering the room.

Students Create the Posters

1. Have the class form small groups. Each group should choose a different STI on which to work.
   
   
2. Pass out chart paper and markers to each group and the appropriate pamphlet or fact sheet to each student.
   
   
3. Allow the groups 10-15 minutes to do the posters.
   
   
4. When finished, have groups display their posters.

Students Present the Posters

1. Have each group briefly share their posters and their answers to the questions about STI transmission, symptoms, treatment, prevention and responsibility.
   
   
2. After all groups have presented, review how STIs are transmitted. Ask if there is a general statement they can make about most STIs, i.e., STIs are transmitted by sexual contact with an infected person. Write this generalization on the board next to the word "transmission."
   
   Note: Stress that HIV and Hepatitis B may also be transmitted by exchange of contaminated needles.
   
   
3. Ask the group for general statements about what they learned about STI symptoms, treatment, prevention and responsibility. Write these generalizations on the board. If not mentioned by the students, add important generalizations from information listed below:
   
   Symptoms: A change in the look or feel of genitals or unusual genital discharges may indicate an STI; for example, sores, lumps, rashes, etc. Some STIs can infect the body without any symptoms. Therefore, it is recommended that sexually active people get tested for STIs on an annual or semi-annual basis.
   
   Treatment: Anyone who thinks he/she may have an infection should promptly go to a clinic or doctor for medical treatment. It is critical to take all the medication prescribed.
   
   Prevention: Abstinence is the only 100% way of avoiding STIs. The risk of STIs can be reduced by limiting the number of sexual partners and by the use of latex condoms and spermicide every time one has sex.
   
   Responsibility: Anyone with an STI should go to a health care provider for treatment and inform his/her sexual partner or partners.

Summarize the Activity

1. Stress that it is not necessary to know detailed information about an STI, such as which symptoms indicate gonorrhea and which indicate syphilis, or what drug is used to treat chlamydia. That’s the job of your health care provider.
   
   
2. Tell students that to protect themselves, they need to remember five things:
   
   
   • Unprotected sex with an infected person may result in an STI, AND it is not always possible to know if a person has an STI.
     
     
   • Be aware of how your body feels when it’s healthy so you will notice any change that could indicate an STI. And, since some STIs have no symptoms, sexually active people should get tested for STIs every six months.
     
     
   • If you notice any of the changes that might indicate STIs, you need to go to a clinic or doctor for treatment. STIs do not go away on their own; they only get worse.
     
     
   • Not having sex is the best way to prevent getting STIs. Limiting the number of sexual partners and using condoms with spermicide every time can greatly lower the risk of getting STIs.
     
     
   • If you do have a STI, you need to get medical treatment and let your sexual partner(s) know.

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