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Teen Survival Guide

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are on the rise among young people. STDs are caused by many different viruses and bacteria that spread through sexual contact. Some examples of STDs are chlamydia, crabs (pubic lice), genital herpes, gonorrhea, hepatitis B, HIV/AIDS, and syphilis. Even if you're not sexually active now, it's vital to know how to protect yourself later.

Four key things you need to know about STDs

1. STDs can affect anyone—women and men of all ages and racial and ethnic backgrounds. Teens and young adults get STDs more often than any other age group. About three million teens get STDs every year. That means about one in four sexually active teens gets an STD.
2. You can get an STD by having any kind of sex, including vaginal (penis is put into vagina), oral (sucking and/or licking of sex organs), and anal (penis is put into butt). You can also get an STD by having other close sexual contact with someone who already has an STD.
3. Often, STDs cause no symptoms at first. Even if you have no symptoms, you can still pass an infection on to another person. If you get symptoms, they can seem like other problems that aren't STDs, such as yeast infections.
4. While some STDs can be treated and will go away, others can't be cured. You can only try to make the symptoms better. If untreated, some STDs can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, cancer of the cervix, or even death. If you think you have a problem, see your doctor right away. Your doctor will check your skin, throat and genital area. Your doctor may also test your blood, urine, or a sample of tissue or fluid from your body. If you have an STD, your doctor can start taking care of you right away. Even if your STD is cured with treatment, you can still get it again if you are sexually active and do not protect yourself.

Protect yourself from STDs

• You can't get an STD if you do not have sex of any kind or close sexual contact with someone. The best way to protect your health is to wait until you are married to have sex.
• Condoms can't protect you from all STDs. But, if used correctly and used all the time, condoms will lower your chances of getting some STDs. Condoms will also lower your chances of getting pregnant.
• Talk to your parents or guardians, an older brother or sister, or another trusted adult about sex to help you make wise choices.
• Abstinence—not having sex—is the only 100 percent sure way to not get an STD.
• How do I know if I have an STD?
• You should see a doctor right away if you have lower stomach pain or have vaginal discharge (fluid) that is yellow, gray, or green with a strong smell. In between periods, it is normal to have a clear or whitish fluid (discharge) coming from your vagina.
• See your doctor if you have any of the other symptoms of common STDs that follow.

STD Symptoms

STD	Symptoms
Chlamydia	Often no symptoms Abnormal vaginal discharge Burning sensation when urinating (peeing)
Genital herpes	Painful small red bumps, blisters, or open sores on or around your genital area or rectum Some infected people may never have sores Fever, headache, or other muscle aches Swollen glands in the genital area Pain in legs, buttocks, or genital area Abnormal vaginal discharge Pain when urinating (peeing)
Syphilis	Early on: Painless sores in the genital area, on the lips, or in the mouth and swollen lymph glands Later: Skin rash on the palms and feet, fever, swollen lymph glands, sore throat, patchy hair loss, headaches, weight loss, and tiredness Left untreated: Damage to the brain, nerves, eyes, heart, and blood vessels; can lead to death
Crabs (pubic lice)	Itching in the pubic area Often people have no symptoms Sometimes rust colored spots on underwear from bleeding where you have been bitten Mild fever and tiredness if you have been bitten by a large number of lice
Gonorrhea	Most have no symptoms Pain or burning sensation when urinating (peeing) Yellowish and sometimes bloody vaginal discharge Vaginal bleeding between menstrual periods Anal discharge, itching, and soreness if the rectum is infected
Hepatitis B	Yellow skin or yellowing of the whites of the eyes Tiredness Dark-colored urine Lower stomach pain Loss of appetite Nausea and vomiting Diarrhea Joint pain Some have no symptoms
HIV (Human immuno-deficiency virus)	Extreme tiredness Rapid weight loss Swollen lymph nodes Getting low fevers and night sweats often Getting oral or vaginal yeast infections and other STDs often Red, brown, or purplish marks on or under the skin or inside the mouth, nose, or eyelids
HPV (Human papilloma-virus)	Most people have no symptoms and do not know they are infected Some types of HPV can cause warts—some painful, some not—in the genital area

What about pregnancy?

Having a baby while you are a teen can be very hard.

1. Teen mothers are less likely to finish school and more likely to be single parents.
2. There are serious health risks for teen girls who have babies.
3. Teen pregnancy is closely linked to poverty and single parenthood.

Not having sex is the only 100 percent sure way to not get pregnant. If you do become pregnant, talk to a trusted adult such as a school counselor or parent or guardian. Also, see a doctor right away. It is important to get good prenatal care, which is special health care for pregnant women. If you have a friend who is pregnant, urge her to talk to an adult and see a doctor right away.

Content last updated February 12, 2008

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