Lectura 3: Blood

BLOOD

Blood isn't everyone's favorite topic.  But so many people either lose blood through surgery, injury, or because their bodies cannot manufacture blood components because of a disease that blood transfusions are a life-saving measure. In fact, about 5 million people each year in the United States get blood transfusions.

A Bit about Blood 

Blood is the body's transportation system; it is always busy making deliveries and pickups. As blood circulates throughout the body, it delivers oxygen and nutrients to all the places they're needed. Blood also collects waste products, such as carbon dioxide, and carries them to the body's organs responsible for making sure the wastes leave the body. 

• Red blood cells carry oxygen to and remove carbon dioxide from all of the body's tissues.
• White blood cells are part of the immune system. Their job is to fight infection.
• Platelets are cell fragments that clot, which helps to prevent and control bleeding.
• Plasma is a yellowish liquid that contains substances that help clotting, along with other important blood components.

Blood is a mixture of these three types of blood cells and plasma. Each component has a specific task.

What Are Transfusions?

When blood or one of its components, such as red blood cells or platelets, is delivered into a person's bloodstream, it is called a blood transfusion. Transfusions are usually given through a tiny tube that is inserted into a vein with a small needle. The whole procedure usually takes about 1 to 3 hours. It's vital that the blood of a person receiving a transfusion is compatible with the donor's blood. Blood is classified into different types: A, B, AB, and O. You inherit your blood type from your parents. Blood types are also classified as either Rh positive or negative. You'll typically hear blood types described according to both of these characteristics - for example, "A positive" or "AB negative." In emergencies, there are certain exceptions to the rule that the donor's blood type must match the recipient's exactly. Type O Rh-negative blood, which is called "O negative" or the "universal" blood type, is often given in emergencies because it's the only type that people with all other blood types can safely receive. O negative donors are called "universal donors." People who have type AB blood are called "universal recipients" because they can safely receive any type of blood.

Why Do People Need Transfusions?

People need transfusions for many different reasons. Some people have medical conditions; others may need a blood transfusion because they've had life-threatening blood loss from a serious accident or surgery. For example, some people need blood transfusions because they're receiving chemotherapy treatment for cancer. People who have hemophilia, a disease that affects their blood's ability to clot, need plasma.

Where Does the Blood Come From?

In the United States, the blood supply comes from people who volunteer to donate their blood at local blood banks, at community centers or through the American Red Cross. Many people's lives depend on other people who donate blood. People can also donate blood for a specific person with the same blood type, such as a child or parent. 

Do People Get Sick From Transfusions?

Some people worry about diseases from infected blood.  Donated blood is carefully tested for viruses and other agents that cause diseases like HIV, hepatitis, syphilis, and West Nile virus. If any of these things are found, the blood is discarded. Although the blood supply today is extremely safe, some people still decide to ask people they know to donate blood if they need it.   Like any medical procedure, there are a few risks involved with a blood transfusion. When a patient receives a blood transfusion, there's a possibility of certain reactions. Some examples:

• Allergic reaction. This is quite common and usually mild. Often the only symptom is a skin rash. Allergic reactions to blood transfusions occur when antibodies in the patient's blood react to proteins in the plasma of the donated blood. Allergic reactions are usually treated with antihistamines.
• Fever. This is also very common and usually mild. Fever can be accompanied by headache, nausea, and chills. 
• Hemolytic reaction. Hemolysis means the destruction of red blood cells. This is the most serious type of immediate reaction, and it can be life threatening. It occurs when the patient's blood and the donated blood do not match. 

What Are the Risks of Donating Blood?

A person can't get an infection or disease from donating blood. Needles and other equipment used are sterile and they're used only on one person and then thrown away. There are, virtually, no health risks associated with donating blood, according to the American Association of Blood Banks. 

Who Can Donate Blood?

To donate blood, the American Red Cross requires that people be at least 17 years old and weigh more than 110 pounds (50 kilos). Donors must be in good health. Despite the age requirements, the Red Cross estimates that 15% of all blood donors in the United States are high school or college students.

  Your time and effort could save a person's life.

Activities

1.    Find one adjective in the superlative degree.

2.    Find an example of Infinitive of Purpose in the text.

3.    Find an example of Possessive Case in the text.

4.    Find an example of a noun-noun structure in the text.

5.    Find an example of a relative clause in the text and underline its pronoun.

6.    Find some modal verbs and explain their uses in Spanish.

7.    Find two examples of Passive Voice from the text (English).

8.     Who does the action? Is the agent mentioned in the text?

Example 1:

Example 2:

9.    When is the passive voice used? (Spanish)

10. Complete the table

TENSES	Example (English)	Uses (Spanish)
Simple Present
Present Continuous
Present Perfect
Simple Past
Past Continuous	Form:
Past Perfect	Form:
Future Simple

A.   READING COMPREHENSION

Complete the table with information related to the text in Spanish:

WHAT?
WHEN?
WHERE?
WHY?
WHO?
HOW?
HOW OFTEN?

Adapted from: www.teenshealth.org

Lectura 2: What is online child abuse?

A.   Pre-reading tasks:

Answer the following questions orally

1. What do you think is this article about?
2. Do you worry about children/teenagers using the Internet?

What can you suggest for avoiding this problem?

A.   Read the following text:

Online child abuse includes:

1. making and downloading images of children being sexually abused; and
2. approaching a child online for sex. This could be sex online (e.g. sexual activity via text or webcam) or sex offline (meeting up for sex in the "real" world).

                How big a problem is online child abuse?

Due to the nature of child abuse, it is difficult to assess the full extent of online child abuse. It has, however, been estimated that there are over 100,000 websites worldwide containing images of children being abused. It has also been estimated that 1 in 5 young Internet users have received unwanted sexual solicitation through the Internet.  

                    What do children do online?

It has been reported that one of the most common uses of the Internet by young people is for research for school work and for gaining information about other areas. Other activities include: downloading music, keeping in touch with friends by chat and email, and playing games. Gender differences have also been reported with boys reporting using the Internet for playing games and downloading music and girls reporting using the Internet for email communication and school work.

                  Why do parents need to get involved?

It is important to remember that the Internet is a good place where children and young people can communicate, play, learn and work. However, as with many new or emerging technologies, the Internet has also raised new areas of concern. An awareness of these issues by parents can help to educate and protect children and young people while they are enjoying and using the Internet.

                    Where are children most at risk?

Children have reported receiving unwanted sexual solicitations in chat-rooms, while they were using Instant Messenger, via email, and on message boards.

             How do paedophiles find children online?

Adults target children through a variety of means – through member profiles in their Instant Message accounts, which often hold personal details and indicate their ages and which can be viewed publicly if a child hasn't requested otherwise. They will also ask young people who they have met online – for example in gaming sites, to add them to their friends contact lists so that they can chat to a children's network of friends.  

              How do I know if my child is at risk?

Children and young people may take part in all sorts of conversations and activities online with each other, some of which may be of a sexual nature. This is a normal part of growing up. However these kind of adolescent activities are very different from the activities and conversations that an individual with a sexual interest with children can initiate. If you have any concerns about your child's activities on the Internet, or if you find any record of inappropriate images or conversations, talk to them about your concerns as you would about any other concerns. If you remain worried, or want some help and advice, there are a variety of organizations that can assist.

            Are there any signs to indicate that my child is being abused online?

The vast majority of children is not being abused online and never will be. The following activities could be perfectly innocent but is worth being alert to potential signs: 1) becoming secretive; 2) downloading files onto discs; and 3) using encryption software. Changes in your child's behavior may act as indicators and these changes can include: a change in a child's self-esteem and self-confidence, withdrawal from the family and isolating themselves, difficulties at school, an increased level of anxiety, sleeping difficulties, concentration difficulties, and in some instances become excessively concerned with washing and cleanliness. It is important to remember that these behaviors can be a normal part of growing up, so it is important to establish the reasons why these changes are occurring and to seek help and advice if you are concerned.

           Should I stop my child from using the computer?

No, this would be an over-reaction. The fear of losing Internet privileges is one of the key reasons children don't tell parents about problems online. Instead you can help to educate your child about safe ways to use the Internet.

            What can I do to protect my child online?

Talk about safety rules with your child and reach agreement with your child about how they will behave online. You can also print out the safety rules and tape or stick them to the wall next to the computer. We also recommend:

1. keeping the computer in a public area of your house; 2. using parental control software; 3. encouraging your child to use moderated chartrooms; and 4. notifying the police if you have concerns about someone your child has met online.

            What can I do to stop online child abuse?

 Always remain vigilant and careful in your use of the Internet, and report any illegal activity that you discover.             Never be tempted to carry out "vigilante" investigations on the Internet in an attempt to identify offenders. Such investigations can be counter-productive. Please leave work of this kind to law enforcement professionals.

Adapted from: http://www.virtualglobaltaskforce.com/faqs.html (January 2015)

Activities

A.    

1.    Copy one condition from the text. State its type (0, I, II or III)

2.    Find two modal verbs from the text. State their function in Spanish.

3.    Write a list of two adverbs, two nouns and two adjectives from the text.

Adverbs:

Nouns:

Adjectives:

4.    Give the meaning of the prefix “un” in the word “unwanted”.

5.    State the function of the following words. Are they nouns, adjectives or verbs in the text? (See “ing”)

Approaching
Using

6.    Find examples of the following tenses and explain in Spanish why the author used such tenses:

	Example from the text	Use/Function in SPANISH
Simple present
Simple past
Simple future
Present continuous
Present Perfect

7.    Find a “noun-noun” structure.

8.    Find an example of Existence.

9.    Find an example of Possessive Case.

B.   READING COMPREHENSION

1. Copy some transparent words from the text:

2. Copy some key words from the text: