Testing for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
As a parent, it's important to keep communication open with your teen about their sexual health. If your teen is sexually active, they're at risk of getting sexually transmitted infections (STIs), also known as sexually transmitted diseases. STIs are common in the United States. They can be caused by bacteria such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, along with viruses such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), human papillomavirus (HPV) and herpes simplex virus (HSV). Getting tested for STIs is important when teens are sexually active. This is because STIs often have no signs or symptoms. Yet if they're left untreated, some of these infections can cause problems like infertility and a higher risk of getting HIV. Here's what you need to know about diagnostic STI testing.
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