Sexually Transmitted Diseases

1. Sexually Transmitted Diseases STDs & Teens: A Reality Check

2. Why teens are at high risk? Teens and young adults are more likely to: • Have multiple partners, • Engage in unprotected sex.

3. Young women are: • More likely to choose older partners, • Biologically more susceptible to Chlamydia, Gonorrhea and HIV.

4. STD and Teens: Statistics • 12 million new cases each year • 3 million are among teenagers • 13% of youth 13 – 19 contract an STD each year

6. Chlamydia • Found in 20 – 40% of teens (most common) • Caused by bacteria. • Silent Disease: 65-80% of females and 20-30% of males show no symptoms. • May cause sterility.

7. Gonorrhea • Highly contagious bacterial infection. • Also known as the “drip” or “clap”. • May cause sterility, arthritis and heart trouble.

8. Herpes • Viral infection. • Herpes Simplex 1 (HSV1) – a.k.a. “cold sores”. • Herpes Simplex 2 (HSV2) – genital herpes. • Deadly to newborns and infants.

9. Herpes (continued) • Rate of new infections highest in late teens and early twenties. • 15 – 20% of teens are infected with herpes. • Chances of infection increase with age.

10. HPV • No cure – viral. • 28 – 46% of women under 25 are infected with HPV. • May cause cervical cancer. • Genital warts affect 1/3 of all sexually active teens.

11. Syphilis • Highly contagious bacteria. • Can affect all parts of the body. • Three stages – may lead to death. • Rates among teens are low.

12. Safe Sex Sex = oral, anal and/or vaginal • Abstinence. • Male Condom. • Female Condom. • Oral Barriers (Dental Dam).