Solutions to prevent STDs in high school students.

The best way that adolescents can prevent STDs is not to have sex. They must understand that when they choose to have sex, this is a decision that can affect them for the rest of their lives. Teens should know that having sex can cause pregnancy or an STD. Make sure your teen understands the risks. For example, make sure you know that acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), which is caused by the immunodeficiency virus (HIV), is a major cause of death in people aged 15 to 24 years. The presence of other STDs such as chlamydia, herpes, gonorrhea and syphilis can increase the likelihood of contracting an HIV infection. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people who have STDs have at least 2 to 5 times more risk of acquiring HIV through sexual contact.

Some of the solutions to prevent sexually transmitted diseases are the following:

1- Limit the number of sexual partners. The more couples, the more likely to acquire an STD.

2- Establish a good communication with your sexual partner. Ask him if he has suffered any type of STD in the past.

3- Use contraceptives. The condom is always the best option if you are not with a stable partner, as it not only prevents pregnancy but protects from STDs. In the case that you have a stable partner, you can use other methods than the condom.

4- Maintain proper hygiene. Washing your hands before and after sexual contact is important. Avoid, also, sharing towels or underwear, as they can be true sources of infection.

5- If you think you may be developing a symptom related to an STD, immediately go to the doctor and tell your sexual partner, you will avoid the infection.

The only 100% guaranteed way to avoid an STD is to avoid all kinds of sexual contact, be it vaginal, anal or oral sex, and genital skin-to-skin contact with another person. There is no sex = there is no STD. But if you have sex, practicing safe sex reduces the chances of infection.

Safe sex means using condoms, female condoms or mouth barriers. These barriers stop the fluids and some of the skin-to-skin friction that STDs transmit. You can use condoms for vaginal sex, anal sex or oral sex on a penis. You can use female condoms for vaginal sex and anal sex. And you can use oral barriers for oral sex on the vulva or anus.