Can my teen get a SexuallyTransmitted Disease?

In todays' world, society makes sex look like something very casual and common. However, the television shows and movies don't show the horrible effects of casual sex. Many teens today think that "having sex" means having intercourse. While they refrain from intercourse, they believe it is all right to participate in other sexual activites and sexual contact. What they don't realize is that although a girl can't get pregnant from these sexual activities, both can get one of the very common STDs. Any STD you can get from vaginal sex, you can get from oral sex too, especially Syphilis, Gonorrhea & Herpes.

Of course, many teens think "it will never happen to me." What they don't realize is that STDs are the most common disease in America next to the cold & flu!!! In 1970 there were 2 STDs, today there are 35-50 different kinds of STDs, 25 Major STDS- 20 are rampant among the young!!

· Do you know 4 friends who are sexually active? Statistics say that one of them has an STD and may not even be aware of it yet!

· You are 4 times more likely to get an STD than get pregnant!· Nearly 15 million new STD cases each year over 3 million teens, 10 million under the age of 25 become infected. Roughly half of them are lifetime infections!

· 46% of girls catch HPV after having sex ONLY ONE TIME!! · In next 24 hr, 41,000 people will contract an STD - 12,000 teens!!

· 65 million Americans have an incurable STD!

· 41,000 per day new cases of STDs!

· 3 million new cases of chlamydia each year!

· 1967, 1 in 32 people had an STD, now 1 in 5 Americans are presently infected with an STD, that's over 65 million people!

Here are some FACTS on STDs:

· 80-90% of those infected do not develop initial symptoms-symptoms may not show for weeks, months, years - BUT ARE STILL CONTAGIOUS!

!· -STDS are NOT prevented with condom use - condoms often fail to prevent pregnancy, which is only possible a few days a month. STD's are there 24/7!!!

· Condoms at best, reduce risk of HPV & Gonorrhea in men, but for all other STDs, there is no evidence that condoms reduce the risk at all!! (Nat Inst of Health) Condom use has gone from 21%-67% in last 20 years, but STDS have skyrocketed!

· HPV - Human Papillomavirus- most common STD in USA-condoms can't protect you from this STD. With this STD, you may have warts. However, the symptoms may not show up, warts may be on cervix. This STD is the #1 cause of cervical cancer. 99.7% of cervical cancer cases worldwide are caused by HPV-cervical cancer kills 7000 women a year!!!.

· Bacterial STDs-gonorrhea, syphilis & chlamydia are cured with antibiotics

· Viral STDs- HIV, Hepatitis B and herpes are incurable and last a lifetime!· You could be legally liable if you infect someone!!

· STDs can lead to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), which can lead to infertility-you may not know until you are married and trying to conceive!!

· STD infections increase the possibility of contracting AIDS!!

Interesting Story: A dad had herpes and passed it on to his baby. The baby had a 50% chance of dying or having severe brain damage. Herpes caused the baby's brain to look like swiss cheese. The baby lived but has severe brain damage.

It is so important for us to teach our children that our bodies are temples of God - your body, your health, and sexuality are gifts from God. God gave us our bodies to keep them pure. Tell your teen to think of this question before deciding to become sexually active - Is one orgasm worth dying for?

We have a great brochure which explains the symptoms, damage and the statistics of the top 8 STDs. If you would like a brochure, please email us at choosethechild@cox.net with your name and address and we will gladly mail you one or more.

ChoosetheChild.org
Natasia T. Kissinger
PO Box 640447
Kenner, LA 70064
504-339-5384
"give me my life…i'll give you my love"

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