1 in 4 sexually active teenagers has an STD (Centers for Disease Control)
48% of all high school students have had sex (Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2007)
Many teens do not think they can get an STD through oral sex
Many teens do not think they could get an STD, partly because teens who get STDs are not talking about it or they feel they are invincible.
About 20% of 8th graders report having had oral sex, and around 10% report having had vaginal sex (MCCSC Survey: Sexual Attitudes, Behaviors, and Knowledge of Middle and High School Students, 2007)
BACTERIAL VS. VIRAL
Bacterial STDs are curable with antibiotics and viral STDs are not
Most common bacterial STDs are: gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis
Most common viral STDs are: human papilloma virus (HPV), herpes simplex, and HIV
GIRLS VS. BOYS
There are many STDs that girls contract more often than boys.
Girls are less likely to have symptoms than boys with STDs like chlamydia and gonorrhea
If girls who have chlamydia or gonorrhea do not get treated, there is a chance they will develop pelvic inflammatory disease and be unable to have children
Certain strains of HPV can develop into cervical cancer. Doctors recommend females get vaccinated for the four types of HPV that can cause cervical cancer.
STEPS PARENTS CAN TAKE
Emphasize why you believe abstinence is the healthiest choice for your child.
Discuss that if your child was to be sexually active, they need to be responsible: use a condom and another form of contraception, get tested, be faithful and monogamous, get an annual exam.
Let them know what your concerns are and the negative consequences of early sexual activity.
Give your child skills in dealing with peer pressure and how to get out of pressure situations.
