The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that more than half of the 20 million new cases of sexually transmitted disease each year occur in adolescents.
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Risk Reasons
Adolescents are at the greatest risk due to three factors:
They’re likely to have unprotected sex.
They’re biologically more susceptible to infection.
They may face barriers to health care.
Diagnosis
Two of the most common sexually transmitted diseases in adolescents age 16-24 are Chlamydia and Gonorrhea.
Chlamydia and Gonorrhea are bacterial infections that spread via vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Unfortunately, these infections are relatively asymptomatic and vague, so many people have no idea they’re infected.
It’s important to diagnose these infections early because, if left untreated, they can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, and chronic pelvic pain in females, and infertility and sterility in males. These infections can also increase the risk of HIV infection.
The good news is that these infections can easily be diagnosed with a simple urine test and then treated with antibiotics if needed. It’s important to treat not just the infected patient, but all partners as well, to prevent the spread to others.
Kids Plus Pediatrics
As always, we at Kids Plus Pediatrics want to provide the best possible preventative care for all of our patients and families. That’s why, in accordance with recommendations made by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, we routinely screen all of our patients for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea — regardless of sexual activity or gender — starting at age 16.
In the state of Pennsylvania, minors have the right to confidentially seek care and treatment of sexually transmitted infections. We call our adolescent patients on their personal cell phones to share results, and if needed to discuss treatment. Teens can consent to allow us to discuss results with parents, and if they do that we will honor that.
This process will allow us to best maintain patient privacy and confidentiality, and also to best safeguard the health and wellness of all our adolescent patients.
Dr. Alicia Hartung has been a Kids Plus Doc since 2001.
