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Teen sexual activity: risky behavior By Franklin Chang Adolescent sexual activity is loaded with consequences. When defining adolescent risky behaviors, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) includes sexual activity along with smoking, drug use and violent behaviors. Over my next monthly articles, I will review these consequences beginning with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Of all the infections reported to the CDC, the most common are sexually transmitted diseases. Of the more than 18 million STDs reported per year, almost half of these occur in people between 15-24 years of age. Adolescents who are sexually active and are involved in sexual intercourse early in their lives also have an increased likelihood of having multiple sexual partners, many of whom are already sexually experienced and may be carrying STDs. The adolescent cervix has also not fully matured, making adolescent girls more vulnerable to STDs. Unfortunately most adolescents are unaware that those infected with STDs usually have no symptoms. Although one in 10 sexually active adolescents is infected with Chlamydia, 75 percent of adolescent girls and 50 percent of adolescent boys infected do not know that they have the infection. Of the 45 million Americans infected with Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2, 90 percent are unaware they are infected, but 80 percent of these “asymptomatic” people have been shown to be shedding the virus in their genital area with the possibility of transmitting it during sexual activity. About 25 percent of the estimated 1.2 million Americans estimated to have HIV are unaware of their infection. Similarly, most people infected with human papilloma virus (HPV) are not aware and thus transmit the infection unknowingly. Most adolescents are not aware that HPV causes genital warts, abnormal Pap smears and has been linked to cervical, vulvar and anal cancer. Women at highest risk for developing cervical cancer are those who become sexually active in the mid-adolescent years and have multiple sexual partners. The significance of STDs to adolescents well-being must be explained to them. STDs are not only a nuisance, but can also cause serious health problems (sores, warts, pain, infertility, cancer and even death). In the United States, billions of dollars are spent each year diagnosing and treating STDs and their consequences. The fact that most people infected with STDs do not know it but can pass it on to others needs to be emphasized to teens. All sexually active teens should be screened for STDs on at least a yearly basis. Although some sources believe that teens have the right to be sexually active if the adolescent wishes to be, the CDC believes such behaviors a health risk. STDs are only one set of significant, life-changing consequence of teen sexual activity. Many other risks exist, which will be reviewed in future articles.
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