According to researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, an estimated 9 million young people (ages 15-24) each year contract such sexually transmitted diseases as chlamydia, (HPV) human papillomavirus, genital herpes, syphilis, gonorrhea, and HIV/AIDS. This accounts for nearly half the cases diagnosed in the United States annually.
It is important to note that many of these infections can be present in the body without you experiencing any signs or symptoms, therefore if you have ever been sexually active, you should be tested for sexually transmitted diseases. Each individual sexual encounter is a potential exposure to a sexually transmitted disease.
Learn the truth about condoms, chlamydia, and many more common birth control methods and STI's.
It is estimated that over 65 million people are now infected with a Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) and 19 million new infections occur each year. (Weinstock H,et al. Sexually transmitted diseases among American youth; incidence and prevalence estimates, 2000, Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health 2004) Some of these are bacterial and can be treated with antibiotics if detected early, but since there often no symptoms, many people don't even know they have an STD. Others are viral and only the symptoms can be treated. The virus remains in the body for life.
Condoms and contraceptives are being pushed in our society to help reduce the teen pregnancy rate, but the skyrocketing numbers of STD infections belie the fact that the myth of Safe Sex isn't giving real physical safety. The easy availability of contraceptives gives our sexually-over-stimulated society a false sense of security. They believe that not getting pregnant is what is most important. Many are now paying the price physically and emotionally.