The Risks of STIs

1
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.
2
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

3
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.

4
STDs The Hidden Epidemic
Reasons for Lack of Diagnosis and Treatment

• Many people with STDs are asymptomaticwithout
  symptoms.
• They do not seek treatment because they dont
  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.

5
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

6
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 partners past
  behavior and whether he or she already has an STD.

7
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 HPVthe human
  papillomavirus.
• Abstinence from sexual activity is the only
  method that is 100 percent effective in
  preventing STDs.

8
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.

9
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.

10
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.

11
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.

12
Quick Review
Q. Sexually active teens are at a high risk of
getting an STD because they are more likely to

1. be sexually active with more than one person.
2. engage in unprotected sex and select high-risk
   partners.
3. use alcohol and other drugs.
4. All of the above

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Quick Review - Answer
A. 4. All of the above 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.
14
Quick Review
Choose the appropriate option.
Q. Alcohol or drug use raises inhibitions,
resulting in teens taking fewer sex and drug
risks.

True
False
15
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.
16
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
17
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.
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End of Lesson 1
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