STDs are most common in teens and young adults ages 15 to 25. Many believe that this number is so high due to the fact that at such a young age, they take more risks. Think about it. When you were a teenager, you thought the world evolved around your friends. You wanted to do everything that your friends did. Especially dress alike. I guess most of it was peer pressure.
STDs are still on the rise. This is mainly because parents are still afraid of talking to their kids about sex. Why? When we should want our children to make better choices than we did growing up. Parents and kids need to know the facts of STDs. They need to know that THEY can get one if they have unprotected sex. Whether you have a boy or girl. The facts are still the same, only they just "show up" in our bodies a different way.
Here are some basic facts about some STDs.
HIV is the #1 killer these days. People can have HIV in their body (dormant) for up to 10 years! And never even knew that they had it. So, imagine over a 10 year life span the number of sexual partners you've had unprotected sex with. Now, depending on your circumstances, that number could be high. Having sex whether using protection or not, your still at risk of being infected with any disease. Symptoms of HIV include: fever and night sweats, discoloration of the skin, sudden weight loss, and severe fatigue. Also, many times if you have a TB skin test and it comes back positive, a HIV test will be done too (and/or vice versa). Currently, there is no cure for HIV/AIDS virus. Its symptoms are controlled by medications.
Chlamydia is one of the most common STDs contracted by teens. Usually since you don't have any symptoms, it is often called the "silent" disease. Some of its common symptoms may include pain during sexual intercourse, burning when urinating, cloudy vaginal discharge, and lower abdominal pains. Therefore, Chlamydia is curable. Yet, it is very important for you and your partner to get treated at the same, to prevent re-infection. If left untreated, there is the possibility of being unable to have children.
Genital Herpes has been around for a long time in the United States. Some people even believe as far back as Romeo and Juliet. Yep, that long ago. But really, this is still a very serious disease today. Most people first think of herpes when they get a fever blister This is a minor stage of the disease. Although with the next phase of this disease, normally you only get it through sexual contact. The main symptoms of genital herpes include the outbreaks of rashes, and fever blisters that can be very painful while taking weeks to heal. Currently, there is no cure for genital herpes. The symptoms are controlled with medications.
I hope those 3 STDs can give you some insight about how serious STDs are. My advice to you is that you talk with your children. All children need to know about this. Younger children need to know their major parts of their body by NAME (it has been proven that "predators" stay away from children that know their body parts). As for teenagers, talk to them about all the risk of unprotected sex. Let them see pictures of what some of these STDs could do to them. Yep, put some fear into them for them to take you serious. But above all, try to build a relationship with your children so that they can communicate with you. And build trust with them.
Even with all your efforts, your children sometimes still do want they want to. I hate to say it, but, they live and learn from their mistakes. But even then, we're still their parents and have to love them and continue to accept their choices.
I have been a nurse for over 12 years. I have seen the affects of what an STD could do to our bodies. Especially children. Let's continue to work together to prevent the spread of STDs. Visit my website, Test Private For STDs to learn more information and how to get a std home testing kit.
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