ISI - PSYC 5730 - Blood and Airborne Pathogens: HIV/STDs/Hepatitis/TB

Course Description

Blood and Airborne Pathogens: HIV/STDs/Hepatitis/TB provides an overview of HIV/AIDS, TB, and other STDs; preparing counselors to work with clients to prevent these diseases or counsel clients who have acquired these diseases; making counselors examine issues related to human sexuality and biases about sexually related topics.

This course provides an overview of several common bloodborne pathogens (BBPs) including: Human Immunodeficiency Virus / Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS), sexually transmitted diseases/sexually transmitted infections (STDs/STIs), Hepatitis, and others. It also provides an overview of various airborne pathogens (ABPs) including: Influenza and relatives (COVID Viruses), Tuberculosis, Measles, Chickenpox, Mumps, and Hantavirus among others. Finally, other pathogens emerging within the United States that are vector related. These diseases include but are not limited to West Nile Virus, and Typhus.

While they can occur amongst all humans, many of these diseases occur more frequently among individuals experiencing substance abuse, mental illness, homelessness, or who live in high poverty areas. Consequently, symptom recognition by first line clinicians and referral to appropriate treatment is extremely important for both the client, you, and your colleagues.

Finally, while the focus of this course will be identification of pathogens and potential risk factors associated with various diseases, it is also important to understand aspects of human sexuality, related lifestyles, and high-risk factors associated with these pathogens. Thus, this course is designed to assist you in examining issues related to these diseases/disorders including human sexuality and biases about sexually related topics and lifestyles.

Joint-listed with PSYC 4730, additional projects/assignments required for graduate credit.

Learner Outcomes

• Show how the epidemiology of HIV/AIDS has changed across population groups throughout the world.
• Assist in examining issues related to biases about human sexuality, biases about sexually related topics, and information related to lifestyles.
• Assist in identifying biases and fears counselors may have when working with clients engaging in high-risk behaviors.

Required Course Materials

Pending updates from instructor.

View Course Syllabus

Sponsor Institution

Credits earned for this course are included in a University of Idaho transcript.

This is an INDEPENDENT STUDY IN IDAHO course

To learn about program and refund policies, visit www.uidaho.edu/isi.

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COURSE NUMBER NOTICE
Beginning with the 2025-2026 Catalog year, the University of Idaho transitioned to 4-digit course numbers. As ISI works through this transition, you may continue to see 3-digit course numbers during this time. A crosswalk is available online.