lead to liver cancer. Medicines can help prevent liver damage in these people. There is also
a vaccine to prevent hepatitis B.
HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. It is the virus that causes AIDS. HIV and
AIDSaredescribedintheDiseases and the Body’s Defenseschapter. HIVcanspreadthrough
sexual contact. It can also spread through body fluids such as blood. There is no cure for
HIV infection, and AIDS is a fatal disease, although the onset of AIDS can be significantly
delayed with proper medication. Researchers are trying to find a vaccine to prevent HIV
infection.
In Latin America, many women are infected with HIV. They are often treated unfairly just
because they have the virus. For example, they may be rejected by their family or fired from
their job. A woman from Argentina named Patricia Pérez has been working to change that.
She was infected with HIV in the 1980s. Ever since then, she has been fighting for the rights
of women with HIV. In 2007, Pérez was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize for her work.
Other Reproductive System Disorders
Many disorders of the reproductive system are not STDs. They are not caused by pathogens,
so they don’t spread from person to person. They develop for other reasons. The disorders
differ in males and females. In both genders, the disorders range from causing little more
than discomfort to potentially causing death.
Disorders in Males
Most common disorders of the male reproductive system involve the testes. For example,
injuries to the testes are very common. In teens, injuries to the testes most often occur while
playing sports. An injury such as a strike or kick to the testes can be very painful. It may
also cause bruising and swelling. However, such injuries seldom do lasting harm.
Varicoceleis also quite common, especially during puberty. A varicocele is a swollen vein
in the scrotum (Figure22.14). A varicocele doesn’t usually cause pain or other symptoms.
If it does cause symptoms, it can be treated with surgery.
Another disorder of the testes is cancer. Cancer of the testesis most common in males
aged 15 to 35. It occurs when cells in the testes grow out of control. The cells form a lump
called a tumor. If detected early, cancer of the testes usually can be cured with surgery.
Disorders in Females
Disorders of the female reproductive system may affect the vagina, uterus, or ovaries. They
may also affect the breasts. One of the most common disorders isvaginitis. This is redness
and itching of the vagina. It may be due to irritation by soap or bubble bath. Another