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The Problem With STD Prevention Essay

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The Problem With STD Prevention

Sexually Transmitted Diseases or STDs are an increasing problem in today’s society. There are many of them and the number is increasing in the youth of the nation. According to a 2000 poll, 18.9 million cases were reported, and of that number, 9.1 million occurred in people between the ages of 15 to 24. America needs to recognize this problem more fully and find a cure for it. Abstinence is one way to help, but what people need to realize is that it is not working.

According to a 2000 poll done by the Centers for Disease Control, 48% of sexually transmitted diseases are accounted for in people between the ages of fifteen to twenty-four. It is also reported that teens are more likely than other …show more content…

In 2002, Chlamydia hit young girls between the ages of 15 and 19 in King County, Washington with 2,113 cases compared to 474 cases in men of the same age. The big difference in statistics could be due to the fact that there is a lack of screening in males. It is believed that screening is a little more effective because many teen patients are not open with their doctors when it comes to sex, especially if that doctor also treats their parents (Davidnow, 2004).
Human papillomavirus also known as HPV can clear up on its own with no treatment. In extreme cases it has caused cervical cancer in women. Another harmful affect of HPV is genital warts. This disease is incurable but can be suppressed for periods of time.
Trichomoniasis is the third disease that affects the younger generation. Trichomoniasis is a specific infection that targets the vagina. This disease was first described by Donne in 1836. Back then, researchers thought that it was just a harmless commensal (one organism living off of another without harming it) that carried on a relationship with the human body (Tseng, Villanueva, & Powell, 1987).

There are abstinence programs available that can inform teens about STDs. In the past few years there has been a decrease in teen pregnancy but a rise in STDs. Many female teens use injectable or patch contraceptives but are not using condoms which is the only way to prevent STDs other than abstinence. Abstinence programs have president Bush’s

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