It is important to make teens aware of STDs
The teenage is a transitional age where the child develops physically and mentally. It gets difficult for the child to understand the changes in the body and without proper education they are more likely to commit mistakes; while some of these can be mended, some like those which pose grave threat to health can be irreversible.
Here are 6 facts about STDs which every teenager should know before exploring about sex:
Sexually active population is more likely to get STDs
This might scare you, but you should know that you represent the sexually active population and making careless mistakes can land you in trouble.
The reason why teens are more likely to develop STDs is because they are still exploring sexual intercourses and often do it without protection. Many teens also engage in multiple intercourses making them more vulnerable.
It is important to know how STDs spread
STDs spread through vaginal, anal and even oral sex.
These diseases spread through bodily fluids of an infected person and are transmitted to a healthy individual during the intercourse.
Some STDs like herpes and HPV can also spread through skin to skin contact.
It is important to talk about STDs
Many young people hesitate to speak about STDs.
Untreated diseases linger on the body for a long time and grow. It is advisable to talk about STDs to parents, elders and seek medical help whenever you notice some changes in your body, especially the private parts, after a sexual intercourse.
Avoid sex with alcohol or drugs
Most teenagers lose track of right and wrong when they couple sex with drugs and alcohol. It impairs one's decision.
"Avoid mixing alcohol and/or recreational drugs with sex. If you use alcohol and drugs, you are more likely to take risks, like not using a condom or having sex with someone you normally wouldn’t have sex with," the US CDC says in its guidelines on how to stay safe from STDs.
STDs can be treated
Do not assume that your life is over once you are diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease.
STDs like chlamydia and gonorrhea can be treated with medicines. There are several medicines that can help you get relief from the symptoms.
It is very important to not ignore the signs and get it medically tested as soon as possible.
Signs of STDs
There are few typical traits of STDs like unusual discharge from the private parts, pain while urinating, unusual growth around the private part, rashes, blisters and sores, and foul smelling discharge should never be ignored.
Other signs of STDs are persistent fever, sore throat, swollen lymphs, and extreme fatigue.
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