Stds

Virginia Valencia
Dr. Hinson
English 1302 Section 4019
13 Nov. 2008
Research Paper

STDs

      Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), also called venereal diseases, are caused by germs that travel from person to person through sexual contact. (Grapes, Pars 2-3) Young people are especially at risk for many sexually transmitted diseases. Teenagers account for three million cases of STDs annually. One out of every four sexually active teenagers acquires a new STD each year. (Grapes, Pars 2-3) If young people were given the proper education in regards to sex I believe the STD rate would be lower.
      Most people agree that abstinence is the most effective way of preventing sexually transmitted diseases and that people should be made aware that certain activities including sex at an early age and sex with multiple partners or prostitutes greatly increase the risks of contracting STDs. But many sex education authorities contend that abstinence should not be the sole emphasis of STD prevention and sex education programs. Americans should acknowledge that many teenagers are engaging in sexual activity. Studies have found that the average age of first intercourse in the United States is sixteen and that two-thirds of America’s high school seniors are sexually experienced prior to graduation. (Grapes, Pars 5-6) Given the reality that many teenagers reject the option of abstinence, young people should be given comprehensive sexuality information “about their bodies, gender roles, sexual abuse, pregnancy, and STD prevention,” including the proper use of condoms to prevent diseases.
      Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the bacterium, Chlamydia trachomatis, which can damage a woman's reproductive organs. (Holmes 40) Even though symptoms of Chlamydia are usually mild or absent, serious complications that cause irreversible damage, including infertility, can occur "silently" before a woman ever recognizes a problem. Chlamydia... [continues]

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