$Unique_ID{BRK00133}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Has the Risk for Venereal Diseases Increased Over Time?}
$Subject{sex sexually transmitted diseases vd teenager venereal disease STD
Infection Infections Genitourinary teen teens teenage teenager teenagers
Adolescent Adolescents Adolescence behavior behaviors lifestyle lifestyles}
$Volume{J-23}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Has the Risk for Venereal Diseases Increased Over Time?


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QUESTION:  As an anxious mother, I am almost afraid to read your answer, but I
must ask it.  Are teenagers running higher risks for venereal diseases these
days?

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ANSWER:  Even with today's increased awareness of AIDS and other sexually
transmitted diseases, teenagers are still getting venereal diseases in record
numbers.  In fact, figures indicate that every minute of every day, some
teenager contracts a sexually transmitted disease.
     Adolescents may have a few characteristics that make venereal diseases
especially common for them.  Teenagers' immune systems are especially
vulnerable to sexually transmitted diseases, with the teenage female being
especially receptive to disease.  Adolescents often behave impulsively,
without thought to long-term consequence.  Adolescents may feel a great deal
of conflict about their sexual behavior, so they may avoid treatment, and thus
continue to spread infection to their partners.  It is important that infected
people name their partners so they can also be treated, and, while this is not
pleasant for anyone, it seems to be particularly embarrassing for teens.
     The consequences of untreated venereal diseases are high, especially for
adolescents.  Prevention of disease and quick diagnosis and treatment of
disease is particularly important to adolescents, if they are to protect their
future ability to have children.  I'm sorry if this answer is the one you were
frightened to read, but it is up to parents and society to provide an
atmosphere in which our young people can obtain the education they need to
prevent disease, and find a sympathetic forum to confide their problems to,
when like all of us they err, and need help and treatment.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.