Unit 7 Lesson 7.1 Notes Introductory Video Video STIs: Running the Risk Chapter 20: Risks of Adolescent Sexual Activity Section 1: What Are the Risks? Key Terms: Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) an infectious disease that is spread by sexual contact Risk of Teen Sexual Activity Risks include: o Emotional and social consequences (feeling troubled) o Lose self-esteem and self-respect o Unplanned pregnancy o STDs Know the realities so you re prepared when the situation arises Teen Pregnancy Teens think it won t happen to me, but it happens to 800,000 900,000 female teenagers each year o (1 in 10 female teenagers get pregnant each year) o 1 in 5 sexually active female teenagers get pregnant each year 4 in 10 girls become pregnant before the age of 20 Teen birth rate in the US is very high, among the highest of any industrialized nations in the western world o Most of these girls aren t married
Teen Parents Caring for a baby is hard work; need to take on adult responsibilities Must make personal, social, financial sacrifices; may interrupt education May have limited job options Legally responsible for care and well-being of children Babies of Teen Parents Expectant teens often delay medical care Babies born to teen mothers are more likely to suffer health problems o More likely to be born premature and low birth weight (less than 5.5 pounds) Babies are More likely to have physical and mental problems If someone you know may be pregnant, encourage her to see a doctor right away and talk to a parent or trusted adult Many communities offer counseling, prenatal care, classes on childbirth and parenting for pregnant teens Abstinence Eliminates the Risks of Teen Sexual Activity Only abstinence eliminates the risks of teen sexual activity There are many ways to show love and affection nonsexually o Make partner feel special o Find hobbies to do together o What builds a relationship is the time spent together and respect shown each other o Closeness and caring are as important as sexual attractiveness Section 2: What Are Sexually Transmitted Diseases Key Terms: Epidemic the occurrence of more cases of a disease than expected Asymptomatic showing no signs of a disease or disorder even though an infection or disease is present STDs: The Silent Epidemic Each year about 15 million Americans are infected with an STD o 25% of new cases of STDs occur in teens between the ages of 15-19 STDs are considered an epidemic among teens and young adults Many STDs are asymptomatic (show no symptoms)
o Symptoms usually warn a person that they re ill o Without symptoms, people infected with an STD don t know they re infected so they don t get treated and can spread the infection o STDs that are asymptomatic can be detected only by lab tests o Some symptoms may not appear until years after the person is infected People often don t talk about STDs because they re embarrassed o often too embarrassed to see a doctor and go untreated which increases the likelihood that they ll spread the disease STDs Are Serious STDs can cause serious problems even years after one is infected If not treated, can lead to infertility (inability to have children) Can cause serious illness or even death People who are sexually active should undergo regular testing for STDs STDs and Teens Teen behavior places teens at higher risk of catching STDs 1 in 10 teens is infected with an STD Among teens who are sexually active, 1 in 5 has an STD High-risk behaviors: o Being sexually active (only abstinence eliminates the risk) o Having more than 1 sexual partner o Having a sexual partner who has had multiple sexual partners o Using alcohol or drugs Most effective way to protect from STDs is to remain abstinent before marriage and marry someone who has also been abstinent and is uninfected Teens Are at Higher Risk Teen bodies may not fight infections as well as bodies of healthy adults Females are at higher risk of catching STDs o Females have large areas of mucous membranes (the moist, pink tissues that line the openings into the body) that can be exposed to infectious particles during sexual intercourse o During sexual intercourse, females receive a larger volume of potentially infected body fluid than males do o Cells on the cervix of teenage females are more susceptible to infection than the cells of the adult cervix Preventing STDs Remember you re special; friends and family care about you No one can protect you from STDs but you; stand up for yourself and take control Practice abstinence Stay away from drugs and alcohol Respect yourself (less likely to give in to pressure) Learn the facts about STDs and use those facts to make good decisions Choose friends who influence you in a positive way Get plenty of rest (so you think clearly) Go out as a group
Be aware of your emotions (don t let emotions lead you away from your beliefs and values) Section 3: Common STDs Key Terms: Chlamydia a bacterial STD that infects the reproductive organs and that causes a mucous discharge Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) an inflammation of the upper female reproductive tract that is caused by the migration of a bacterial infection from the vagina Gonorrhea an STD that is caused by a bacterium that infects mucous membranes, including the genital mucous membranes Syphilis a bacterial STD that causes ulcers or chancres; if untreated, it can lead to mental and physical disabilities and premature death Human Papillomavirus (HPV) a group of viruses that can cause genital warts in males and females that can cause cervical cancer in females How Are STDs Spread Some STDs can be fatal Others have symptoms that are mild or unnoticeable If untreated, all STDs eventually harm a person s health Some STDs are caused by bacteria Other STDs are caused by viruses or parasites Many of the bacteria, viruses, parasites that cause STDs can be found in body fluids (e.g. semen, vaginal secretions, blood, breast milk) STDs can spread by: o Any type of sexual activity that brings an uninfected person in contact with body fluids from an infected person o Any sexual activity that results in contact between one person s genitals and another person s skin or mucous membranes, in which one of the persons is already infected with an STD o Direct contact with open sores o A mother to her baby before birth, during birth, or during breast-feeding Mistaken Ideas In most cases, bacteria and viruses that cause STDs cannot survive outside the human body (e.g. can t spread through kissing, sharing eating utensils, holding hands, using public toilets) Not all STDs can be treated and cured (e.g. herpes are permanent)
STDs Can Cause Permanent Damage STDs harm a person s health and can cause permanent damage o Painful sores that recur throughout someone s life o Brain damage or cancer o Infertility o fatality Babies and STDs STD in pregnant woman can threaten health of unborn baby (miscarriage) Bacteria of some STDs can infect a baby s eyes as they pass through the birth canal (resulting in blindness); eyedrops are given soon after birth to all babies, even if mother is not believed to be infected The Facts About STDs Be informed See a doctor as soon as you may have been exposed to an STD (early diagnosis and treatment is essential to preventing long-term health effects) STDs Caused by Bacteria Chlamydia Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) Gonorrhea Syphilis Most can be cured by antibiotics, but early detection and treatment is very important o If left untreated for too long, STDs can cause serious damage to the body E.g. scar fallopian tubes, possibly resulting in ectopic pregnancy
STDs Caused by Viruses or Parasites Symptoms of viral STDs can be treated with drugs, but cannot be cured o Human papilloma virus (HPV) o Herpes o Hepatitis o Human immune-deficiency virus (HIV)
Parasitic STDs o Pubic lice o Scabies o Trichomoniasis Being Responsible About STDs If you think you have an STD o Seek medical help right away o Complete the full course of medications o Have follow-up testing done o Avoid all sexual activity while being treated o Notify all sexual partners STDs affect anyone; your behavior now will affect you the rest of your life Most effective way to prevent STDs is to avoid sexual contact of any kind Practicing abstinence is the only sure way to prevent STDs Web Resources STD Information When Should Testing Be Done? Teens Health: Sexual Health