Sexually Transmitted Diseases

According to the federal government’s Institute of Medicine, there is currently a major epidemic of STDs in the United States. Each year, 15 million new cases of STDs are added to about 60 million existing cases. People between 15 and 19 years of age account for one quarter of these new infections. Two-thirds occur in young people under the age of 25. STDs are clearly a major public health problem.

Many individuals infected with the most common STDs—chlamydia, genital herpes and human papillomavirus—do not experience noticeable symptoms and do not know that they are contagious. That makes the spread of these diseases easier.

Unfortunately, adolescents are at greater risk than adults to get an STD. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) gives several explanations for this increased risk including: adolescents may be more susceptible to some infections because of their immature anatomy; they may have multiple sexual partners who are at higher risk; and, they may not have access to or take advantage of available health care and prevention services.

To learn more about the most common STDs follow the link below to the
Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Bureau of Disease Control and Prevention.
http://www.kdheks.gov/std/

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