Home > Health Guides by Topic > Sexuality & Sexual Health > STDs and Other Infections > Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs):
A Guide for Teens
 General STD Information |
Human Papillomavirus |
| Chlamydia |
Molluscum Contagiosum |
| Gonorrhea |
Pubic Lice, or "Crabs" |
| Hepatitis B |
Scabies |
| Herpes |
Syphilis |
| HIV/AIDS |
Trichomoniasis |
As a teenage girl or young woman, you may be thinking about what it means to be involved in a sexual relationship. Deciding to have a sexual relationship is a big deal, since it involves both your body and your emotions. You need to make sure that it is the right decision for you. There are many things that you need to think about before you decide to have sex, including whether this is the right person, the right time in your life, and how you will feel if the relationship breaks up. If you do decide to have sex, you definitely need to think first about how to prevent getting pregnant and how to protect yourself from getting a Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD).
You should talk to your parents, guardian, a trusted adult, or your health care provider if you are thinking about having a sexual relationship. It is a good idea to discuss all of your choices and all of the concerns and worries you may have so you can make good decisions. This can be a very confusing time for you and it is always good to have someone to talk to.
You should contact your health care provider immediately if you think you have a STD. If it's not a STD, then your health care provider will be able to relieve your mind and treat you for whatever you have. If it is a STD, it's great that you contacted your health care provider right away. The sooner you catch an STD, and the sooner your health care provider begins to treat it, the better chances you have of curing it or stopping it from getting worse.
Resources
Where to Get Tested in the USA:
National HIV and STD Testing Resources
This website has a feature where you can type in your zip code, and get the names and addresses of testing locations near you. It's sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Next: General STD Information |
Updated 3/29/2006
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