Importance of STD Testing for Minors

1. Importance of STD Testing for Minors www.mylabbox.com

2. It is not possible to know whether you have an STD without getting tested. However, it can be a bit challenging for kids to undergo std testing for minors because they are supposed to get permission from their parents. This results in bad sexual practices and the spread of the sexually transmitted infections.

3. Why minors need STD testing There are various studies that show that students who are in high school will avoid the necessary medical care to avoid questions from their parents. However, there are many negative effects of minors having to obtain consent from their parents to get tested.

4. How legal is std testing for minors? While there are states that require a specific age where consent is required (mostly 12 to 14 years), there is no single state that prevents minors from taking std tests. While there are 18 states where physicians have a right to report that a minor is trying to take an STD test, there is no single state that makes this mandatory.

5. Will the clinic inform my parents? One of the major concerns of teens who are trying to access std testing is confidential. However, teens have a right to reproductive health services including STD testing and contraception even without getting the consent of their parents. So there is need to get in touch with their local STD program and ask about the laws for minor consent in STD testing.

6. Which STDs do I need to be tested? If you are a teenage girl who is sexually active, it is recommended that you should take a test for Chlamydia. It is also important for teens both girls and boys undertake a gonorrhea test. While the prevalence of HIV is high, this isn’t common in teens. However, it is recommended that teens should also undergo HIV testing.

7. Syphilis is another STI that isn’t common for teens and therefore there may not be a need for routine tests. However, where a teen is found positive for Chlamydia infection, they should also be tested for the other common STIs such as syphilis, gonorrhea, and HIV.

8. Treatment of STDs Where a minor is suffering from treatable STDs, there are various antibiotics that can be given to the minor. Chlamydia is the most common type of STD and this is treated using zithromycin(Zithromax). This can be given as a single dose. For the treatment of gonorrhea, an injection of a drug known as ceftriaxone is recommended. Syphilis is treated using a penicillin injection.

9. How tests are done Blood tests can be done for syphilis, herpes, hepatitis B and syphilis. For gonorrhea and Chlamydia, all male are supposed to pee in a cup. Teenage girls can also pee in a cup. However, where they are suffering from any kind of pelvic pain or they are noticing some kinds of discharge, a pelvic exam may be recommended. Where a minor is afraid of visiting a clinic, a good idea would be to purchase an at home std testing for minors.

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