Be an Askable Parent Does your child feel it's OK to talk with you about
sexuality? Read
more...
Continue
to Learn Anticipate your child's questions by learning the
stage of your child's sexual development. Read
more...
Build
Bridges If a child does not learn about sexuality issues
from a parent, the child will learn about sex elsewhere—from friends,
the internet, magazines, television and other sources. Read
more...
Talking
to Your
Teens about
STIs Each
year,
1 in
4 sexually
active
teens
will
get
an
STI.
Learn
what
you
can
do
as
a concerned
parent. Read
more...
Testing for STIs For some STIs, all
the doctor or nurse will need is for you to pee
in a cup. They can tell a lot by looking for
certain organisms in your urine (pee). Some STIs
may be diagnosed by swabbing (or taking a cotton
swab or wooden spatula) and taking a sample from
your vagina. Other STIs,
like herpes, are diagnosed by testing the fluid
inside the little sores or blisters. Sometimes
a blood sample will be taken for tests. Ask what
kind of test you will have and what you're being
tested for. Not all STIs are included in each
test. ASK!
If
you feel nervous about getting checked
for STIs, take a few deep breaths
and relax. You may be shy
but the tests are usually
quick, and it may help to remember
that the nurses and doctors are there
to help you. They do this kind
of test all the time.
Do my parents have to find out? This varies from state-to-state.
Some clinics will see you without
your parents' permission and some
will not. If you are concerned about
this, call the clinic before you
go. Ask if you need to bring your
parent along for permission and what
information the clinic will share
with them. This way you know what
to expect ahead of time.
Know
the Facts. Know for Sure.
You
may have an STI and not know it.
Your partner may have an STI
and not know it.
If
you think you have an STI, there
is something you can do about it.
The only way to know for sure is
to be tested.
STIs
like chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis
are curable. While not curable,
diseases like HIV, HPV, herpes
and hepatitis B are highly treatable.
Don't go too long without being
tested. Get tested at least once
a year or with each new partner.
STIs can cause serious and long-term
problems.
If You Think You Have an STI:
Talk
to your mom or dad, or another
adult you trust;
Remember: If
you call your local public health
department or Planned Parenthood
clinic and ask about testing, they
cannot diagnose you over the phone.
You will need to go to the clinic
and get tested to know for sure if
you have an STI.
