Learning about the birds and bees in fifth grade was a piece of cake. Boys to the gym, girls to the nurse's office. A couple giggles. A few guffaws. A lot of blushing cheeks.

But today another critter has squirmed into the picture, making the lesson a little more serious -- and a lot more deadly.

Okay, boys and girls, it's time for a very important lesson about this new character in the bird-meets-bee scenario -- the HIV virus.

No longer merely a mind-boggling matter for the medical books, the HIV virus has made sex more than just a romp in the sheets or a diversion between lovesick fowls and insects.

The HIV virus has become an epidemic touching almost everyone in some way. Statistics bring the virus' reality frighteningly close to home.

One college student in 500 is infected with the HIV virus, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. That translates to about 70 students infected with the HIV virus here at University Park. Maybe you know one of them. Maybe it's you.

These figures will only increase unless students follow three simple steps. So, here they are kids:

-- Know the facts.

The HIV virus can be contracted only through blood transfusions, semen, vaginal secretions or mother's milk. The virus cannot be transferred through casual contact. Once in the bloodstream, the virus attacks cells in the body's immune system.

Without treatment, the immune system deteriorates and complications, including AIDS, can arise. While there is no cure yet for the HIV virus or AIDS, treatment with drugs like AZT can slow the virus' progress.

-- Always use condoms.

Abstinence is the best policy, but if it's not yours then don't be afraid to ask about the sexual history of your partner. After all, when you have sex with a person, you also have sex with every person that person has ever had sex with.

-- Use available resources.

Ritenour Health Center offers free, confidential HIV testing. Take advantage of it. Ritenour, as well as other concerned groups on campus and downtown, sponsors countless educational programs and speakers. Go and learn.

Go tonight -- several undergraduate theater majors will put on a 40-minute play examining sexual health issues in today's society, called "Not Just Fooling Around," at 8 in the HUB Assembly Room.

That's it, kids. Just a simple, three-step lesson. But before you lay down this paper, memorize it, and live it before the bird-bee couple becomes a deadly trio.