Peer Helpers are here to help you. If you have any problems you would prefer to discuss with a peer than an adult please do not hesitate to contact one of our peer helpers personally or by e-mail. Our peer helpers are assigned to middle school homerooms but anyone is free to contact any heper they prefer. for a full list with contact details see below.

Year 7HM

Sara Abbasi

Year 11

sara.abbasi@islstudent.ch

 Sydney Goldsworthy

Year 11

sydney.goldsworthy@islstudent.ch

Nikhil Kulkarni

Year 10

nikhil.kulkarni@islstudent.ch

Antonia Svanstrom

Year 10

antonia.svanstrom@islstudent.ch

Year 7 FM

Maylis de Larivière

Year 13

maylis.delariviere@islstudent.ch

Manon Goetschel

Year 13

manon.goetschel@islstudent.ch

Charles Southwick

Year 10

charlie.southwick@islstudent.ch

Julianna Maznevski

Year 10

julianna.maznevski@islstudent.ch

 Year 8 CR

Joana Santos

Year 11

joana.santos@islstudent.ch

Anna Balint

Year 11

anna.balint@islstudent.ch

Nastasia Humbert

Year 10

nastasia.humbert@islstudent.ch

Gavin Hellmich

Year 11

gavin.hellmich@islstudent.ch

 Year 8 HS

Tjeerd Braunius

Year 10

tjeerd.braunius@islstudent.ch

Mai-Li O’Keefe

Year 11

maili.okeefe@islstudent.ch

Eshana Batra

Year 12

eshana.batra@islstudent.ch

Mariana Delyannis

Year 12

mariana.delyannis@islstudent.ch

 Year 9 HS

Luvo Sixishe

Year 12

luvo.sixishe@islstudent.ch

Christian Toubro

Year 12

christian.toubro@islstudent.ch

Michelle Goossens

Year 13

michelle.goossens@islstudent.ch

Naomi Amoah

Year 13

naomi.amoah@islstudent.ch

Zoe Soo

Year 12

zoe.soo@islstudent.ch

 Year 9 BT

Nathalie Berger  

Year 13

nathalie.berger@islstudent.ch

Henry Southwick

Year 13

henry.southwick@islstudent.ch

Catherine Buchler

Year 12

catherine.buchler@islstudent.ch

Marlotte Vonk

Year 11

marlotte.vonk@islstudent.ch

 Julia Dos Santos

Year 11

julia.dossantos@islstudent.ch

Have you lost a lot of weight recently?

Are you struggling with binge eating or bulimia?

Did you know that dieting and binging severely disrupts your system, particularly the bio-feedback system or the feedback we get from our body sensations.

Here are some physiological signs that you may have or be developing an eating disorder.

1. Difficulties concentrating (psychological effect of starvation).
2. Preoccupied with food and eating
3. Sleep is disturbance (hyperglycaemia in the night..wakes you up)
4. Sensitivity to cold
5. Enhanced fullness. ( This is related to delayed emptying of your stomach)
6. Profound discomfort after eating (due to delayed gastric emptying –your biofeedback is  disrupted)

Remember! Sending your body into starvation mode will only result in weight loss in the short term. The only way to maintain a healthy weight is a balanced diet and exercise.

If you feel that any of these signs concern you or that your dieting is getting out of control make sure you get help..eating disorders are extremely dangerous and need to be stopped early on.

Find out more

http://helpguide.org/mental/anorexia_signs_symptoms_causes_treatment.htm

Speak to your parents, your doctor or me in confidence -you can drop in or make an appointment.

claire.roberts@isl.ch

How you see or picture yourself.

How you feel others perceive you.

What you believe about your physical appearance.

How you feel about your body.

How you feel in your body.

http://www.usaweekend.com/98_issues/980503/980503teen_survey_results.html

There have been several sensationalized deaths from connected to ecstasy use like the death of Leah Betts in the UK. One of the dangers of ecstasy can be its purity; it is often mixed with other more dangerous substances. The coming down effects after taking ecstasy can be highly unpleasant and encourage greater use which may result in addiction to this or other drugs. However the deaths that have occurred seem to be caused by indirect link to ecstasy as the facts below explain.

“To say that a person died from Ecstasy is never the full story any more than saying that someone died of drink: like alcohol, Ecstasy can be used without any harmful effect. In both cases, death is due to the indirect effects …..” ©Nicholas Saunders, 12/95 (revised 2/96)

Dangers

• Overheating is the main danger of taking Ecstasy; sweating is essential to avoid overheating and water is essential in order to sweat.
• ‘Harm prevention’ advice has concentrated on drinking plenty of water.
• Drinking too much water is reported to have killed several people. If it is not sweated or urinated out it may then dilute your blood, and diluted blood causes tissue cells to swell, but the brain cannot swell inside the skull and the pressure can build up to a dangerous level.
• Danger signs to look out for are compulsive drinking, not being able to piss or dark piss in spite of drinking lots of water.
• Ecstasy masks discomfort and pain, so that you may feel OK and carry on doing something when you would normally feel awful and stop.
• Most Ecstasy-related deaths are due to overheating and dehydration from dancing: instead of rushing outside gasping for air and cold water, some people just carry on getting hotter until they reach a fatal temperature (which is only a few degrees above normal).
• Asthmatics have been known to die from attacks while on Ecstasy, and it may be that again the usual warning signals were not felt.
• Ecstasy causes an increase in blood pressure, normally no problem but possibly fatal for someone with a weak heart.
• Some bad reactions may also be due to allergies and interactions with other drugs such as inhalers used by asthmatics

From   http://www.ecstasy.org/info/dangers.html

Negative thoughts contribute to panic. They often come from believing the physical symptoms are harmful. In fact this is not the case. The physical effects of panic come from the flight-fight response or fighting or fleeing from danger. The purpose of panic is to protect us from danger.

So what are the physical effects?

• Autonomic nervous system alerted-sympathetic nervous system and parasympathetic nervous system
• Sympathetic nervous system-the flight-fight system, releases energy in body ready for action activation of this system is behind panic attacks
• All or none system-many physical symptoms result-releases chemicals adrenalin and noradrenalin
• Cardiovascular effects-increases heartbeat to pump more oxygen , change in blood flow (away from extremities to large muscles) so you may feel cold, go pale
• Respiration effects-need for oxygen makes breathing faster and deeper, can become unbalanced breathlessness, choking, smothering feelings; blood supply to head increased (can result in dizziness, blurred vision, confusion, feelings of unreality). None of these symptoms are harmful, just uncomfortable.
• Sweat-Gland effects-sweating cools the body to facilitate flight-fight and makes skin slippery for escape
• Other physical effects- eyes (pupils widen to let in more light can cause blurred vision, spots in front of eyes, sensitivity to bright lights) dry mouth, nausea  (digestion interrupted divert energy to more important flight-fight functions, diarrhea (evacuate what weighs us down)
• Muscle tension-aches pains, trembling, shaking
• Release of natural pain killers- coagulants , red blood cells, stored sugar from the liver high energy release can cause a washed out feeling after
• Parasympathetic nervous system-the restoring system, returns the body to its normal state. Restores a relaxed feeling, the body will have enough of the feeling, it will stop not escalate though we may continue to feel “keyed up”.

How do physical symptoms influence what we think and do?

• The behavior of flight-fight response-an overwhelming urge to escape is associated with panic if we can’t we may get agitated, aggressive
• The thoughts of flight-fight response-we are alerted to potential danger, look for potential threat
• Fear of Fear-People with panic attacks are frightened by the physical symptoms of fear, they wrongly  think they may lose control, go mad or have heart attacks
• Panic cycle-feel an effect, the brain invents an explanation (I’m dying/losing control), more physical symptoms. As long as we think we are in danger our body will act accordingly.
• Automatic physical symptoms- after a number of times of being afraid, fear of physical symptoms occur automatically, we are not aware of thoughts. We are afraid of the symptoms because of previous negative experiences. The symptoms are then not really automatic.

Why do we get unexpected physical symptoms in the first place?

• Everyone gets fluctuating physical symptoms all the time-
• Stress-leads to a release of adrenalin
• Being anxious about having a panic attack- increases physical tension and more physical symptoms of stress
• Hypervigilence-scanning body for unusual physical symptoms, detecting ones normally wouldn’t notice, focusing on what we are anxious about (e.g. facial cues-checking for rejection)

Some answers to some important questions.

• Will I go insane? Mental illness like schizophrenia is largely genetic and develops slowly over time, you don’t suddenly become insane.
• Will I lose control? Even though you feel confused you are actually stronger, able to think faster
• Will I have a nervous collapse? Impossible, your parasympathetic nervous system safeguards you against getting worn out, it will quickly return the body to normal
• Can I have a heart attack? Symptoms of panic often occur when we are at rest, heart attack symptoms are generally related to effort and heart pain, the only change in panic to the heart is heart rate, even this is not excessive
• I will faint-fainting is caused by low blood pressure, though you may feel dizzy and lightheaded because our heart rates increase- we won’t faint

For some useful addresses please continue reading this entry.

Profa Family Planning Service

For totally confidential  contraceptive advice

Lausanne – 1003
avenue Georgette 1
Tél. 021 312 25 93
Fax 021 323 51 00

Phone consultations
Monday to Friday from 10h à 16h and at opening times

Centre de planning familial
Département de Gynécologie-Obstétrique
Maternité – CHUV
Av. Pierre Decker 2
1011 Lausanne

Téléphone : 021/314 32 48

e-mail : Planning.Familial@chuv.ch

Hours : Monday to Friday from 8h00 à 12h00 and from 13h00 à 17h00

Free confidential contraceptive advice.  Information is available in 10 languages.

The centre will give information and advice on sex, contraception, abortion, miscarriage, infertility, sexually transmitted diseases…

Gynocological examinations and emergency service is available at the Maternité (paid for by medical insurance subject to contract). The morning after pill can be obtained in cases of emergency Maternité 24 h / 24 (cost around Frs 21.60).

Consultation de gynécologie pédiatrique
Policlinique du DGOG, Av. P.-Decker 2, 1011 Lausanne
Tél. : 021 314 32 44 (le matin)
Fax : 021 324 32 47
En cas d’urgence, veuillez vous adresser aux

Urgences de la Maternité ou à l’Hôpital de l’Enfance

Many people suffer from difficulties sleeping. If this is not addressed the immune system can suffer and eventually physical and psychological problems may appear. Sleep problems can also indicate other psychological difficulties such as anxiety, depression or stress. Difficulty falling asleep is correlated with high anxiety, early waking with depression. If you are having recurrent sleep problems this is a sign you might be depressed. If this is so get help, talk to your school counselor your parents and if it continues a doctor.

 How to tackle sleep problems and get a good night’s sleep.

 • Fix a bedtime and an awakening time. The body “gets used” to falling asleep at a certain time, but only if this is relatively fixed

 • Avoid caffeine 4-6 hours before bedtime. This includes caffeinated beverages such as coffee, tea and many sodas, as well as chocolate, so be careful.

• Avoid heavy, spicy, or sugary foods 4-6 hours before bedtime. These can affect your ability to stay asleep.

• Exercise regularly, but not right before bed. Regular exercise, particularly in the afternoon, can help deepen sleep. Strenuous exercise within the 2 hours before bedtime, however, can decrease your ability to fall asleep.

Your Sleeping Environment

 • Use comfortable bedding. Uncomfortable bedding can prevent good sleep. Evaluate whether or not this is a source of your problem, and make appropriate changes.

• Find a comfortable temperature setting for sleeping and keep the room well ventilated. If your bedroom is too cold or too hot, it can keep you awake. A cool (not cold) bedroom is often the most conducive to sleep.

 • Block out all distracting noise, and eliminate as much light as possible.

• Reserve the bed for sleep. Don’t use the bed as an office, workroom or recreation room. Let your body “know” that the bed is associated with sleeping.

 Getting Ready For Bed

 • Try a light snack before bed. Warm milk and foods high in the amino acid tryptophan, such as bananas, may help you to sleep.

 • Practice relaxation techniques before bed. Relaxation techniques such as deep muscle relaxation, deep breathing and others may help relieve anxiety and reduce muscle tension.

 • Don’t take your worries to bed. Leave your worries about , school, daily life, etc., behind when you go to bed. Some people find it useful to assign a “worry period” during the evening or late afternoon to deal with these issues.

• Establish a pre-sleep ritual. Pre-sleep rituals, such as a warm bath or a few minutes of reading, can help you sleep.

 • Get into your favorite sleeping position. If you don’t fall asleep within 15-30 minutes, get up, go into another room, and read until sleepy.

A Word About Television and computers

Many people fall asleep with the television on in their room. Watching television before bedtime is often a bad idea. Television should not be in the bedroom. Before the appropriate bedtime, the TV should be turned off. Using the computer right up to bedtime is also not a good idea. There is evidence that computers over-stimulate causing sleep problems. Try and switch off computers well before bedtime.

This blog looks at some of the issues adolescents face in the development of their sexuality during adolescence and gives advice and websites on how to find support and information.

The origins of Sexuality

Sexual feelings increase in puberty with the greater amount of sex hormones circulating around the system. For many this leads to normal increases in sexual behaviour and fantasising.

• Masturbation
• Sexual dreams, fantasies, daydreams, experimental behaviour with others
• Romantic fantasies
• Feelings of falling in love
• Feeling uncomfortable and/or attracted by love scenes
• Wanting to be near sexually attractive people
•  

Experimentation

Puberty and adolescence is a time when young people are trying to come to terms with their changing body. Looking in the mirror, concern with body parts, self-touching, shared experimentation are all normal behaviours. Jokes, sexual slang, an interest in pornography underline a desire to understand the changes that are taking place.

Attitudes to sex-pluralism

We live in a pluralistic society or one that simultaneously holds many differing views about sex. What do you think?

• What are your parents’ attitudes to talking about sex? 
• How does discussion about sex make you feel? 
• What messages do you think you have received about sex from: your parents: school: the media, your friends?
• Do your parents influence your decisions/behaviour?

Our society tolerates many attitudes to sex. We belive in freedom of ideas and speech..in the end people must decide for themselves.

How far should you go?

What is acceptable on a first date?

Heavy petting?

Sexual intercourse?

Oral genital sex?

Our attitude comes from a number of factors, more complex than you might think. Below are just a few of them.

• Emotional needs-receive affection, ease loneliness
• Gain acceptance, give in to peer pressure
• Conform to models of masculinity/femininity
• Bolster self-esteem
• Express anger
• Escape boredom

The decision to have a sexual relationship

The decision to have sexual intercourse is a big one. Research shows that boys and girls can be motivated by different reasons.

A 10 year old study on American youth showed that the reason boys and girls had sex for the first time were different:

For boys 50% said it was out of curiosity and readiness

Only 25% said it was from affection for their partner

For girls 25% said their first time was due to curiosity

50% said it was from affection for their partner.

Most men interviewed said they were not in love with their first partner, most girls said they were.

It could be there is more pressure on boys to lose their virginity. Teenage boys lmay be more likely to separate sex from love.

! It is important to check your partner’s motivation. Are you both doing it for the same reasons?

!There is a very high incidence of unwanted first intercourse experiences amongst girls. The younger they are the more likely girls were to be unhappy with the decision to have sex.

Masturbation

Self stimulation of the genitals often leading to orgasm.

Masturbation is natural part of growing into a sexual person.

Masturbation allows a person to get to know their sexual response, accept it and their genitals.

In some cultures/religions masturbation is taboo.

Many myths about masturbation lead to feelings of guilt, fear and anxiety.

Pornography

Sex and sexual imagery is pervasive in the media.

Recent evidence shows young people are getting distorted ideas about sex and anatomies from pornography, particularly via the interenet.

Warning: Some pornography sites are illegal, just visiting them can lead to prosecution!

Unwanted sexual activity

Psychologists have identified 10 important reasons why unwanted sexual activity may take place

• Altruism ( to please the partner)
• Inexperience ( as a way of building/having experience)
• Intoxication
• Reluctance ( the person feels obligated/under pressure)
• Peer pressure
• Sex-role concern (I’m not a “real” man/woman if I don’t say yes)
• Threats to terminate relationship
• Verbal coercion
• Physical coercion (most is non-violent)
•  

Date Rape

Unfortunately date rape in the States is a high risk in high school.

Physical force is used to gain sexual ends

Boys more likely to date rape were more aggressive general, had a traditional view of masculinity, were more likely to believe in the rape myth ( women like to be forced).

Consequences

One fifth of rape victims make suicide attempts (8x higher that the general population)

Avoidance strategies used by college students

• Avoiding enticing behaviour
• Avoiding  intimate situations
• Ignore sexual signals
• Diversion and distraction
• Make excuses
• Say no
• Physical rejection
• Threats not to continue the relationship

NO means NO!

Staying safe

Contraception

90% of adolescent girls who are sexually active will become pregnant if they don’t use contraceptives

Only 35% of 15-19 year olds in a recent study used contraceptive the first time they had sex

In the US 1 in 10 15-19 year olds have an unwanted pregnancy.

Why don’t adolescents use contraceptives?

• Lack of knowledge
• Don’t admit they are sexually active (to themselves)
• Fear of parents
• Fear of being examined
• Fear/ emabarrassment about sex
• Ambivalent feelings about partner
• Expense
• Faulty beliefs like “to young to get pregnant/haven’t had sex enough…”

Contraceptive methods allow you to choose when and if you want to have a baby. Condoms also help protect against sexually transmitted diseased (STDs), so even if you are using another method of contraception to prevent pregnancy you should still use condoms to protect your health

For a full consideration of effective methods of contraception consult the blog or go on-line to

http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/sexualhealth/Pages/contraceptionguide

 1

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD’s)

See separate blog

Homosexuality

Sexual orientation to someone of the same gender resulting in gay men and lesbian women.

Many adolescents have sexual experiences with the same gender as they are growing up, this does not mean they will be homosexual. Boys tend to have more same sex experiences than females in adolescence.

Myth

You cannot tell who is homosexual by their behaviour or personality, lesbians can be very feminine and homosexuals very masculine. Homosexuality does not describe physical appearance, sex roles or personality.

Why are people homosexual?

Psychologists in general believe that people are don’t become homosexual, just like we don’t choose our race or gender we don’t choose to become homosexual. Some believe sexual orientation is a matter of choice like whether or not to get married.

There are many theories why people become homosexual, below are some of the current ideas but the consensus is that a combination of prenatal and postnatal experiences interact to develop sexual orientation.

• Organic differences in brain make-up. Post mortems have shown differences in the way homosexual’s brains are structures ( bundles of neurones in the hypothalamus are 3x larger in hetero than homosexual men and women, this could cause homosexuality or be a restructuring of the brain because of homosexual behaviour)
• Genetic-there is gathering evidence for a “gay gene”
• Prenatal hormone factors-sexual orientation is affected by the levels of androgens in the womb
• Social Learning theories-we learn homosexuality if our heterosexual experiences are very negative and we have rewarding same sex experiences  ( doesn’t account for children of homosexuals who are very unlikely to be gay)

Whatever the reason homosexuality is more accepted today than ever before but homosexuals are still persecuted by certain cultures and religions.

Adolescents still have an overwhelming pressure to be heterosexual. There is still a heterosexual bias seen in the most enlightened societies. Social stigma still exists and can result in people trying to hide their orientation, suppress or repress their feelings and avoid “coming out” to those around them for fear of rejection, disapproval or disappointment.

Bi-sexuality

Bi-sexual individuals are regularly attracted to both sexes

Transvestites

Dress in the clothing of the other gender.

Transgender/transsexuals

Wish to become the other gender, often experience feelings of being trapped inside the wrong gender’s body.

This means protecting yourself against sexually transmitted diseases (STD’s) 

The surest way to avoid transmission of sexually transmitted diseases (STD’s) , is not to have sexual contact, or to be in a long-term exclusive relationship with a partner who has been tested and known to be uninfected.

A lot of STD transmission can be avoided by using condoms.

An important thing to know is that many STD’s do not have symptoms so you can be carrying infection without realizing it.

Undiagnosed STD’s can cause health problems from fertility and in extreme cases death.

Health Principles that reduce the risk of STD

• Avoid casual sex, one night stands, intimacy with people you hardly know as these pose a higher risk of STD’s
• Use a condom properly, wash after sexual activity in non long-term relationships
• Even on the pill using a condom provides extra protection against infection
• Watch for sores, rashes or discharge around the vulva and penis or elsewhere in body especially the mouth
• Wash sexual organs before and after intercourse

STD information

Below is some information about some common sexually transmitted diseases.

You can find more comprehensive information on

http://www.epigee.org/guide/stds.html

Candida

(vaginal thrush, yeast, candidiasis, fungal infection)

Frequently exists in the mouth, vagina, rectum without symptoms.

Can be present in foreskin of male.

Chlamydia

 Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted disease (STD) which can damage a woman’s reproductive organs. Symptoms of chlamydia are usually mild or absent, serious complications that cause irreversible damage, including infertility, can occur “silently” before a woman ever recognizes a problem. Chlamydia also can cause discharge from the penis of an infected man.

Chlamydia is known as a “silent” disease because about three quarters of infected women and about half of infected men have no symptoms. If symptoms do occur, they usually appear within 1 to 3 weeks after exposure.

Women infected with chlamydia are up to five times more likely to become infected with HIV, if exposed.

Genital herpes

Herpes is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) Most genital herpes is caused by HSV-2. Most individuals have no or only minimal signs or symptoms. When signs do occur, they typically appear as one or more blisters on or around the genitals or rectum.

Genital herpes can cause recurrent painful genital sores in many adults, and herpes infection can be severe in people with suppressed immune systems. Regardless of severity of symptoms, genital herpes frequently causes psychological distress in people who know they are infected. Herpes can lead to potentially fatal infections in babies. Herpes may play a role in the spread of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Herpes can make people more susceptible to HIV infection, and it can make HIV-infected individuals more infectious.

Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Gonorrhea is caused by a bacterium that can grow and multiply easily in the warm, moist areas of the reproductive tract, including the cervix (opening to the womb), uterus (womb), and fallopian tubes (egg canals) in women, and in the urethra (urine canal) in women and men. The bacterium can also grow in the mouth, throat, eyes, and anus.

Gonorrhea is spread through contact with the penis, vagina, mouth, or anus. Gonorrhea can also be spread from mother to baby during delivery.

Any sexually active person can be infected with gonorrhea. In the United States, the highest reported rates of infection are among sexually active teenagers, young adults, and African Americans.

Some men with gonorrhea may have no symptoms at all. However, some men have signs or symptoms that appear two to five days after infection; symptoms can take as long as 30 days to appear. Symptoms and signs include a burning sensation when urinating, or a white, yellow, or green discharge from the penis. Sometimes men with gonorrhea get painful or swollen testicles.

In women, the symptoms of gonorrhea are often mild, but most women who are infected have no symptoms. Even when a woman has symptoms, they can be so non-specific as to be mistaken for a bladder or vaginal infection. The initial symptoms and signs in women include a painful or burning sensation when urinating, increased vaginal discharge, or vaginal bleeding between periods. Women with gonorrhea are at risk of developing serious complications from the infection.

Syphilis

Syphilis a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. It has often been called “the great imitator” because so many of the signs and symptoms are indistinguishable from those of other diseases.Syphilis is passed from person to person through direct contact with a syphilis sore. Sores occur mainly on the external genitals, vagina, anus, or in the rectum. Sores also can occur on the lips and in the mouth. Transmission of the organism occurs during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Pregnant women with the disease can pass it to the babies they are carrying. Many people infected with syphilis do not have any symptoms for years, yet remain at risk for late complications if they are not treated. Thus, transmission may occur from persons who are unaware of their infection.In the late stages of syphilis, the disease may subsequently damage the internal organs, including the brain, nerves, eyes, heart, blood vessels, liver, bones, and joints. Signs and symptoms of the late stage of syphilis include difficulty coordinating muscle movements, paralysis, numbness, gradual blindness, and dementia. This damage may be serious enough to cause death.

Pubic Lice

(crabs, parasitic) Lice can be transmitted from skin-skin contact and bedding, clothing, toilet seats, chairs

Symptoms include itching, pin-head dark spots on underwear, possible rash.

HIV/AIDS

For comprehensive information go to:

http://www.hiv.com/

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is the virus that leads to AIDS. HIV infection most commonly occurs through sexual contact. However, the virus can also be spread through blood-to-blood contact — such as sharing needles or blood transfusions involving unscreened blood. No evidence of transmission through kissing, sweat, tears, urine or feces. High-risk behaviors that can result in HIV transmission are sharing needles for drugs, tattoos, body piercing, vitamins or steroids with an HIV-infected person and/or engaging in unprotected anal, vaginal or oral sex with a person who is HIV infected. The virus also can be transmitted from an HIV-infected mother to her child through pregnancy, birth or breastfeeding.

It does appear that persons already infected with a sexually transmitted disease are more susceptible to acquiring HIV during sex with an infected partner.

The only way to determine HIV infection is to be tested for the virus. It is not unusual for HIV-infected persons to experience symptoms years after the initial infection; some may be symptom free for over 10 years. However, during the asymptomatic period, the virus is actively multiplying and destroying cells in the immune system, weakening the body’s ability to fight infection. As a matter of safety, people who engage in high-risk behaviors — such as intravenous drug use or having unprotected sex with multiple partners — should be tested regularly.

AIDS -Opportunistic infections are a result of the weakened immune system present in persons with HIV/AIDS. An infection takes the “opportunity” provided by the weakened immune system to cause an illness that is usually controlled by a healthy immune system. These infections are sometimes life-threatening Persons living with advanced HIV infection suffer opportunistic infections of the lungs, brain, eyes and other organs.

Practicing safe sex and avoiding high-risk behaviors are the keys to protecting yourself from HIV. This begins with understanding that there is a risk of transmission any time infected blood, semen, vaginal secretions or breast milk are exchanged. By limiting the possibility of these fluids entering your bloodstream, you are lowering the possibility of HIV infection. You can achieve this by limiting the number of people you have sex with, never sharing needles with anyone at any time and avoiding the use of alcohol or drugs before having sex. Drugs and alcohol may influence your decision and may reduce your ability to practice safer sex.

Safe sex involves using a latex condom or latex for sexual activities — when used properly, latex is an effective barrier against the spread of HIV.

Puberty usually begins in girls around the ages of 8 and 13.

When the body is ready the pituitary gland (at the bottom of the brain) releases special hormones.

These hormones target the two ovaries which contain eggs ( the eggs have been in the body since birth) . The ovaries start making a hormone, estrogen. Together these hormones prepare the girl’s body to start her periods so she will be able to become pregnant some day.

Hair grows under the arms and in the pubic area.

The body starts growing really fast this growth spurt normally lasts  from 2-3 years. At the end the girl will be her adult height ( normally

Girls bodies become curvier, hips get wider breasts develop.

Skin gets oilier and pimples can start ( especially on the face and upper back).

Body odour also increases.

Clear snot-like substance may discharge from the vagina.

Feeling emotional/irritable, your body is adjusting to new hormones so is your mind.

Feeling self-conscious is normal during this period of growth and change as the mind adjusts to the new body.

Periods

Each of a girl’s ovaries holds thousands of eggs. In the menstrual cycle an egg is released from one of the ovaries and begins a trip down the fallopian tube to the uterus (womb). Before the egg leaves the ovary hormones build up the lining (blood and tissue) of the uterus in preparation for the egg. If the egg becomes fertalised by a sperm cell it may plant itself in the lining and develop into a baby. Most of the time the egg just passes through the uterus so the extra blood and tissue breaks away. The blood passed out of the vagina is a girl’s period. The period lasts from 2-7 days.

Important advice

• Don’t experiment with diets at this time, weight gain is normal, check out with a doctor if you are worried
• Keep acne at bay with washing twice a day with a mild soap or cleanser, don’t pick or squeeze spots as you will get scars, if it is really bad see a dermatologist
• Keep clean to stop yourself from smelling. Take a shower every day (before school is a good idea) Wear clean clothes after sport and use a deodorant.
• Girls stages of puberty

 Age Range: Usually 8-11
In Stage 1 there are no outside signs of development, but a girl’s ovaries are enlarging and hormone production is beginning.

 Age Range: Usually 8-14. Average: 11-12
The first sign is typically the beginning of breast growth, including “breast buds.” A girl may also grow considerable height and weight. The first signs of pubic hair start out fine and straight, rather than curly.

Age Range: Usually 9-15. Average: 12-13
Breast growth continues, and pubic hair coarsens and becomes darker, but there still isn’t a lot of it. Your body is still growing, and your vagina is enlarging and may begin to produce a clear or whitish discharge, which is a normal self-cleansing process. Some girls get their first menstrual periods late in this stage.

Age Range: Usually 10-16. Average: 13-14
Pubic hair growth takes on the triangular shape of adulthood, but doesn’t quite cover the entire area. Underarm hair is likely to appear in this stage, as is menarche. Ovulation (release of egg cells) begins in some girls, but typically not in a regular monthly routine until Stage 5.

Age Range: Usually 12-19. Average: 15
This is the final stage of development, when a girl is physically an adult. Breast and pubic hair growth are complete, and your full height is usually attained by this point. Menstrual periods are well established, and ovulation occurs monthly.

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