STD'S - IT COULDN'T HAPPEN TO ME - RIGHT?

Wrong. One out of every four teenagers will get an STD, even though lots of teenagers think they know how to protect themselves. There are other STDs out there besides HIV, and they are on the rise among teens. They include chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes and human papillomavirus (HPV) which causes genital warts and abnormal Pap smears

Most people who have STDs have no symptoms. Someone you know could have gotten an STD, not realized it, and could be spreading it if he or she has unprotected sex. Sometimes the only way to know if you have been infected is to get a test. Some STDs may not yet be detected (seen) even when tested. Using a condom isn't 100% safe against pregancy or STDs--only abstinence is!

Why don't teenagers protect themselves if they are having sex?
Are embarrassed about buying or getting condoms
Feel peer/date pressure
Use alcohol and drugs
Have a lack of knowledge
Believe using birth control pills is enough protection
Are embarrassed about asking questions
Don't think ahead of time

Get the facts on STD's now!!

Bacterial Vaginosis
Chlamydia
Genital Herpes (HSV)
Genital Warts (HPV)
Gonorrhea
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
Pelvic inflammatory disease
Syphilis
Trichomoniasis


Think STD'S are a thing of the past - Think Again!! 
Articles from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control)

Epidemic
Risk to Youth
STD's and Pregnancy
Links between STD's and HIV
Gonorrhea in the US (Statistics)

 


Need help or more information:

Hotlines:
CDC National STD Hotline (http://www.cdc.gov/nchstp/dstd/dstdp.html)

Operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Provides anonymous, confidential information on sexually transmitted diseases (STD) and how to prevent them.  Also, provides referrals to clinical and other services. 

National STD Hotline---1-800-227-8922
National Herpes Hotline---1-919-361-8488
ASHA Resource Center---1-800-230-6039

WebLink Resources:

American Social Health Association
http://www.ashastd.org

National STD/HIV Prevention Training Center Network 
http://stdptc.uc.edu