How can the right friendships help you avoid sexually The Risks of STIs How can the right friendships help you avoid sexually transmitted diseases? You can avoid high-risk behaviors by forming friendships with people who share your commitment to abstinence.

In this lesson, you will learn to: Lesson Objectives In this lesson, you will learn to: Examine the role alcohol and other drugs play in relation to HIV/AIDS and STDs Discuss the benefits of abstinence as it relates to the prevention of STDs Develop strategies to help prevent communicable diseases such as STDs

STDs: The Hidden Epidemic An Epidemic of STDs in the United States Throughout history people have been faced with epidemics. Today in the United States, we are now facing an epidemic of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), also referred to as Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). An estimated 65 million people in the United States are living with an incurable STD. Many of these cases go undiagnosed and untreated.

STDs: The Hidden Epidemic Reasons for Lack of Diagnosis and Treatment Many people with STDs are asymptomatic—without symptoms. They do not seek treatment because they don’t know they are infected. Some people who suspect they have an STD may be too embarrassed to seek treatment. Even when STDs are diagnosed, they may not be reported to health departments so that contacts can be notified and treated.

STDs: The Hidden Epidemic High-Risk Behavior and STDs Teens who are sexually active are likely to engage in one or more of the following high-risk behaviors: Being sexually active with more than one person Engaging in unprotected sex Selecting high-risk partners Using alcohol and other drugs

STDs: The Hidden Epidemic Being Sexually Active with More than One Person This includes having a series of sexual relationships with one person at a time. However, being sexually active with even one partner puts a person at risk. Most teens are unaware of a partner’s past behavior and whether he or she already has an STD.

STDs: The Hidden Epidemic Engaging in Unprotected Sex Barrier protection is not 100 percent effective in preventing the transmission of STDs, and it is not effective at all against HPV—the human papillomavirus. Abstinence from sexual activity is the only method that is 100 percent effective in preventing STDs.

STDs: The Hidden Epidemic Selecting High-Risk Partners Such partners include those with a history of being sexually active with more than one person and those who have injected illegal drugs.

STDs: The Hidden Epidemic Using Alcohol and Other Drugs Alcohol use can lower inhibitions. In a recent survey, more than 25 percent of teens who engaged in sexual activity had been under the influence of alcohol or drug use.

The Consequences of STDs How STDs Can Change the Course of Your Life Some STDs are incurable. Some STDs cause cancer. Some STDs can cause complications that affect the ability to reproduce. Some STDs can be passed from an infected female to her child before, during, or after birth.

The Consequences of STDs The Importance and Benefits of Abstinence Prevent exposure to STDs by practicing abstinence. Use refusal skills to avoid situations in which you may be at risk. Choose friends who are abstinent and who support your decision to abstain.

Quick Review Q. Sexually active teens are at a high risk of getting an STD because they are more likely to be sexually active with more than one person. engage in unprotected sex and select high-risk partners. use alcohol and other drugs. All of the above

A. 4. All of the above Quick Review - Answer Sexually active teens are at a high risk of getting STDs because they are more likely to be sexually active with more than one person, engage in unprotected sex and select high-risk partners, use alcohol and other drugs. Click Next to attempt another question.

Quick Review Choose the appropriate option. Q. Alcohol or drug use raises inhibitions, resulting in teens taking fewer sex and drug risks. True False

Quick Review - Answer A. False. Alcohol or drug use lowers inhibitions, resulting in teens taking more sex and drug risks. Click Next to attempt another question.

Quick Review Choose the appropriate option. Q. Abstinence from sexual activity is the only method that is 100 percent effective in preventing STDs. True False

Quick Review - Answer A. True. Abstinence from sexual activity is the only method that is 100 percent effective in preventing STDs. Click Next to attempt another question.

End of Lesson 1 Click Home to view the Main menu.

STDs: The Hidden Epidemic An Epidemic of STDs in the United States Throughout history people have been faced with epidemics. Today in the United States, we are now facing an epidemic of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), also referred to as Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). An estimated 65 million people in the United States are living with an incurable STD. Many of these cases go undiagnosed and untreated. An epidemic is an occurrence of a disease in which many people in the same place at the same time are affected.

STDs: The Hidden Epidemic An Epidemic of STDs in the United States Throughout history people have been faced with epidemics. Today in the United States, we are now facing an epidemic of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), also referred to as Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). An estimated 65 million people in the United States are living with an incurable STD. Many of these cases go undiagnosed and untreated. STDs are infections spread from person to person through sexual contact .

The Consequences of STDs The Importance and Benefits of Abstinence Prevent exposure to STDs by practicing abstinence. Use refusal skills to avoid situations in which you may be at risk. Choose friends who are abstinent and who support your decision to abstain. Abstinence is a deliberate decision to avoid harmful behaviors, including sexual activity before marriage and the use of tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs.

Quick Review - Answer A. Correct! Sexually active teens are at a high risk of getting STDs because they are more likely to do all of the following: be sexually active with more than one person, engage in unprotected sex and select high-risk partners, use alcohol and other drugs. Click Next to attempt another question.

Quick Review - Answer You have answered the question incorrectly. Go back to try again, or click Next to view the correct answer.

Quick Review - Answer A. Correct! Alcohol or drug use lowers inhibitions, resulting in teens taking more sex and drug risks. Click Next to attempt another question.

Quick Review - Answer You have answered the question incorrectly. Go back to try again, or click Next to view the correct answer.

Quick Review - Answer A. Correct! Abstinence from sexual activity is the only method that is 100 percent effective in preventing STDs. Click Next to attempt another question.

Quick Review - Answer You have answered the question incorrectly. Go back to try again, or click Next to view the correct answer.