Fort Worth, Texas,
16
June
2016
|
08:14 AM
America/Chicago

Can I get that from that?

The Doc Smitty answers 5 questions about sexually transmitted diseases

Conversations about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) can be difficult. It’s not uncommon for teenagers to have questions but to feel like there’s nowhere to turn for answers. Because of that, a lot of misinformation is shared between teenagers when it comes to sex and STDs.

Trust me, you don’t want to get advice about sex or STDs from teenagers.

Here are some frequently asked questions:

1. Do kids even get STDs?

Yes. About 10 million new cases of STDs are diagnosed each year between the ages of 15 and 24.

2. How will I know if my boyfriend/girlfriend has an STD?

Many STDs don't have obvious symptoms and many teenagers are ashamed to or do not want to talk about it. Because of this, you will never know for sure if your partner has an STD.

3. How serious are STDs?

Identifying and treating STDs is very important. Some like gonorrhea and chlamydia can start with small symptoms but get worse and cause severe, life-threatening infections. Others, like HIV, may not show symptoms at all but can lead to serious health complications later.

4. Are all STDs treatable?

Some STDs go away after treatment but not all. HIV can lead to AIDS which is a life-long condition with severe consequences. Herpes can cause recurrent outbreaks of sores on the genitals which can come back again and again. Human papilloma virus (HPV) causes genital warts which can lead to cervical cancer (in girls) and penile cancer (in boys).

5. Do you just get STDs from sex, or from other stuff too?

You can get an STD from vaginal sex but that’s not the only way.

Oral sex can also transmit most of the infections. A person can get gonorrhea or chlamydia of the throat. HPV and herpes can also be transmitted via oral sex.

HPV and herpes are also contagious via skin to skin contact so even touching another’s genitals can transmit these infections.

If you are a teen reading things, there's a lot more you can learn about STDs. If you have other questions, ask your doctor or talk to a parent. Mom and dad, if you are reading this, please be available to talk to your child.

HPV: Take the shot. Prevent cancer.

Did you know that there’s a vaccine that can prevent more than 10 forms of cancer? The HPV vaccine is one of the only vaccines available that can prevent cancer … and save lives. Learn about HPV. 

HPV, human papillomavirus, is the most common sexually transmitted virus. There are currently 79 million Americans infected with HPV and about 14 million people become newly affected each year. While the only visible symptom of HPV is often genital warts, the virus can lead to multiple forms of cancer.

The good news is that these cancers are preventable by making sure you or your child get the vaccine. The ideal age range for receiving the vaccine is 11 or 12 years old but it has been shown to be effective when given up to age 26.

Whether you’re a parent, teen or young adult, we’ve compiled helpful information on why and when you or your child should receive the vaccine. For adults, we’ve provided some ways to prevent HPV as well as identify potential signs for cancers caused by an HPV infection.

Click here for more HPV education.

 

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Comments 1 - 1 (1)
Thank you for your message. It will be posted after approval.
Terri Andrews
09
December
2019
Thank for this information on STD’s, that is so important for teens and parents. Thank you for clear information that the HPV Cancer vaccine is Safe, and most importantly, Effective.