Sexual Disease`s Prevention Essay, Research Paper

Today?s world is full of worries and problems which did not affect teens a

generation ago. New problems keep appearing in today?s world, such as STDs,

increased pregnancy rates, and other factors facing teens who choose to have

sex. Emotionally and physically teens and getting less developed before having

sex and are not prepared for the serious problems which come along with their

decision to have sex. No longer is it a matter which will just go away if we

ignore it, but teen health and the health of our society depend on choices which

today?s teens make regarding sex. With so many diseases and problems facing

today?s world, abstinence is the only way to protect ourselves. Abstinence is

a safe choice in preventing the possibility of pregnancy. One-tenth of young

women between the ages of 15 and 19 get pregnant every year, 83 percent of these

pregnancies are unwanted or unplanned. Half of the unmarried teens who get

pregnant do so within six months of their first sexual experience. In fact,

between 1986 and 1990, teen childbearing increased by 16 percent. What?s

worse, pregnant teenagers often don?t see a doctor until the time of delivery.

Another serious problem surrounding teen sexual intercourse is the probability

of AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Each year, three million teens

are infected with STDs. Among 14- to 20-year-olds, chlamydia is the most common.

It has no obvious symptoms, and can cause infertility if left untreated. Another

common disease is herpes, which causes sores and painful swelling of the

genitals. Its symptoms can be managed, but not cured. Fifteen percent of all

teenage girls carry the virus that causes genital warts, another common STD.

Gonorrhea, not uncommon in teens, is known to cause pelvic pain, discharge, and

painful urination. It may leave its victims sterile. Perhaps even more serious

is the disease Syphilis, which killed famous mobster Al Capone. It causes sores,

rashes, brain and organ damage, and death. It can also harm an unborn child.

AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) is a growing danger, and is by far the

most serious sexually transmitted disease. AIDS is the sixth leading cause of

death among 15- to 24-year-olds. Cases among teens have grown 62 percent in the

past two years, and the number of teens with AIDS doubles every 14 months. A

fifth of all AIDS victims in this country today are in their twenties, and since

the disease takes two to ten years to develop, those victims contracted it in

their teenage years. Even scarier is that, according to a study of 19

universities, one in 500 college students may carry the AIDS virus. With these

frightening statistics, it’s easy to see why many teens are choosing not to have

sex. Many bold teenagers think they can totally avoid pregnancy and STDs by

using various forms of contraceptives. However, while it does lessen the chances

of disease and unwanted pregnancy, birth control is not always dependable.

Although sex my bring appeal to our generation, the best way to prevent teen

pregnancy and STD?s is by practicing abstinence. Hopefully before any more

people are infected by some of these deadly diseases, kids will get the idea

that being safe and practicing abstinence is the best way to go.