Each
year, between 13 and 15 million new cases of sexually transmitted diseases
(STDs) are diagnosed in the United States. About a quarter of these cases
are in teens ages 15 to 19 - that means one out of every eight adolescents
contracts an STD. Unfortunately, many teens are unaware of the dangers posed
by STDs or how to prevent or identify them. As a parent, you can help your
teen stay safe by getting the facts about STDs . . . and discussing them
with your teen.
Contrary
to what some teens think, you do not have to have sexual intercourse to
become infected with an STD. Someone can contract herpes or genital warts
simply through skin-to-skin contact with an infected area or sore. And
babies can get STDs from their mothers, either while in the uterus (syphilis
and HIV can be transmitted through the placenta and infect the fetus) or during
birth (gonorrhea, chlamydia, genital herpes, and hepatitis
B can be passed from mother to child during delivery).
Any
teen who is having sex should always use a latex condom (check the
expiration date on the package), preferably accompanied by a spermicidal
foam, cream, or jelly that contains nonoxynol-9. While nonxynol-9 has been
shown to reduce the risk of contracting gonorrhea and chlamydia, it is
important to note that nonoxynol-9 does not protect against AIDS. Waiting to
become sexually active also reduces adolescents' risk of contracting an STD.
The older teens are when they first have sex, the less likely they are to
choose high-risk partners (people who have had unprotected sex or lots of
sexual experience themselves) or have many partners overall. A mutually
monogamous relationship and regular medical checkups, even when there are no
signs of infection, are also crucial.
If you
pay attention to your teen's emotional signals, you might pick up on
something that's bothering her. Worrying about an STD could make a teen
unusually anxious or withdrawn, so be approachable in case she wants to
talk.
Getting
Help
If
you suspect a problem or fear your child might be engaging in high-risk
behaviors with unprotected sex or multiple sexual partners, you need to talk
to her. Don't be critical or judgmental, but offer to help and always be
supportive. Because neither you nor your teen is qualified to diagnose an
STD, make sure she sees a doctor. A doctor can offer advice and treatment
options if there is a problem.
Sometimes,
STDs in teens and, particularly young children, can be a sign of sexual
abuse. If you think your child has suffered this sort of trauma, seek
medical help right away. Your child's doctor can put you in touch with
social services to help you and your child deal with this difficult issue.
If you
think your child has suffered this sort of trauma, seek medical help right
away. Your child's doctor can put you in touch with social services to help
you and your child deal with this difficult issue.
A doctor can be your best ally in educating your child or teen about STDs.
Almost
one-half of the U.S. population will get a sexually transmitted disease
(STD) by the age of 35. The risk is greatest for the young and sexually
active. More men than women will get an STD. Having one STD increases the
risk that a second STD is present.
One of
the most common STD's is genital warts, also called venereal warts or
condylomata. These warts are difficult to cure, though recurrences can be
treated. There is evidence they increase the risk of cervical cancer in the
infected woman. For this reason, partners of infected men should be
examined.
