Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Almost half of all new STD infections are among youth aged 15 to 24. With the decision to have sex is the risk of getting a sexually transmitted disease. Research shows that males are less likely to test and yet have more partners, while females are more susceptible to acquiring STD's.

Unfortunately, many people with STD's don't know they infected because they don't have symptoms and they don't test between relationships. Consistent condom use has been shown to decrease the incidence of obtaining an STD but the only sure way is abstinence.*

Check the links below for more information.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases
http://www.kidshealth.org/teen/sexual_health/stds/std.html

HIV AIDS
http://kidshealth.org/teen/sexual_health/stds/std_hiv.html

HPV Vaccine Questions and Answers
http://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/STDFact-HPV-vaccine.htm

* Stats from ASHA's State of the Nation 2005: Challenges Facing STD Prevention in Youth and CDC's Healthy Youth Website: Sexual Risk Behaviors

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