Importance of STD Testing for Minors

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Importance of STD Testing for Minors

• www.mylabbox.com

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• It is not possible to know whether you have an
  STD without getting tested. However, it can be a
  bit challenging for kids to undergo std testing
  for minors because they are supposed to get
  permission from their parents. This results in
  bad sexual practices and the spread of the
  sexually transmitted infections.

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Why minors need STD testing

• There are various studies that show that students
  who are in high school will avoid the necessary
  medical care to avoid questions from their
  parents. However, there are many negative effects
  of minors having to obtain consent from their
  parents to get tested.

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How legal is std testing for minors?

• While there are states that require a specific
  age where consent is required (mostly 12 to 14
  years), there is no single state that prevents
  minors from taking std tests. While there are 18
  states where physicians have a right to report
  that a minor is trying to take an STD test, there
  is no single state that makes this mandatory.

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Will the clinic inform my parents?

• One of the major concerns of teens who are trying
  to access std testing is confidential. However,
  teens have a right to reproductive health
  services including STD testing and contraception
  even without getting the consent of their
  parents. So there is need to get in touch with
  their local STD program and ask about the laws
  for minor consent in STD testing.

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Which STDs do I need to be tested?

• If you are a teenage girl who is sexually active,
  it is recommended that you should take a test for
  Chlamydia. It is also important for teens both
  girls and boys undertake a gonorrhea test. While
  the prevalence of HIV is high, this isnt common
  in teens. However, it is recommended that teens
  should also undergo HIV testing.

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• Syphilis is another STI that isnt common for
  teens and therefore there may not be a need for
  routine tests. However, where a teen is found
  positive for Chlamydia infection, they should
  also be tested for the other common STIs such as
  syphilis, gonorrhea, and HIV.

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Treatment of STDs

• Where a minor is suffering from treatable STDs,
  there are various antibiotics that can be given
  to the minor. Chlamydia is the most common type
  of STD and this is treated using
  zithromycin(Zithromax). This can be given as a
  single dose. For the treatment of gonorrhea, an
  injection of a drug known as ceftriaxone is
  recommended. Syphilis is treated using a
  penicillin injection.

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How tests are done

• Blood tests can be done for syphilis, herpes,
  hepatitis B and syphilis. For gonorrhea and
  Chlamydia, all male are supposed to pee in a cup.
  Teenage girls can also pee in a cup. However,
  where they are suffering from any kind of pelvic
  pain or they are noticing some kinds of
  discharge, a pelvic exam may be recommended.
  Where a minor is afraid of visiting a clinic, a
  good idea would be to purchase an at home std
  testing for minors.

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Contact US

• myLAB Box
• Website - www.mylabbox.com
• Phone - 213-290-4571
• Email - customerservice_at_mylabbox.com