The Ugly Gift
There are an estimated 65 million Americans out there living with an STD. Of that 65 million many don’t even know that they have one and continue having sex with one or multiple partners in turn giving them the STD.
STD s are sexually transmitted diseases such as hepatitis, herpes, chlamydia, and gonorrhea. There are more than 20 types of STD s affecting both men and women. They’re like the unwanted ugly Christmas sweater you get from grandma and then you to give it to someone else. It’s the gift that keeps on giving. The sad thing about this gift is that they can be prevented.
STD s can be a small risk for you if you wear condoms, dental dams, and any other barrier that can protect you from pregnancy as well as diseases. Tell grandma you don’t wear sweaters. Get checked out by a doctor and take precautions to ensure that if you do have sex with an infected person you don’t have to get that ugly sweater that could possibly haunt you for life. If you are unsure if you have an STD if wouldn’t hurt to go into the clinic for a checkup by a doctor.Testing for multiple STD s can be done at one time at certain clinics in your area. With a quick Google search just like any other place you can find directions to the nearest one for you. People make the screenings for STD s to be scary but they’re not. Most STD testing includes a sexual history talk, urine sample, blood sample, mouth swab, genitals swab, or swab of any discharge or sores. It’s not that much different from being tested for many other illnesses.And it usually just takes three business days to get results. Many teens are worried about how they are going to ask their parents to take them in for STD testing.
Well just like pregnancy testing from age 13 in most states teens can go in for testing with the assurance that their parents are not to know about it or there results. After getting the test back patients can be treated properly or be reassured that they don’t have an STD. Teens can get more information and know where to go next and how to dealwith the possibility of an STD by going to teen source.org or can contact Planned Parenthood at 1-800-230-PLAN.
