• Every 11 seconds, a teen contracts a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) in the U.S.
• 8 million teens each year contract an STI
• 50% of people who contract HIV are under age 25
  (CDC 2000)

The eight most prevalent STI's are...

NON-VIRAL	VIRAL
Chlamydia Syphilis Gonorrhea Trichomoniasis	HIV/AIDS Hepatitis B & C Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Herpes Simplex II

STIs are divided into two main categories: viral and non-viral. If your son or daughter contracts a viral STI, there is no medicine they can take to cure the disease. There is only medicine available to treat the symptoms. Young people today are contracting viruses that they will have to carry with them for the rest of their lives.

How easily are STIs spread?
Certain STIs can be contracted by skin-to-skin contact with infected body regions. HPV and Herpes are two examples of STIs that can be contracted without ever engaging in sexual intercourse. Often, teens think that they are safe because they did not "go all the way," but they are still at risk.

Is oral sex safe?
Many teens feel oral sex is a safe alternative to sexual intercourse because there's no risk of pregnancy involved. However, many don't consider the possibility of contracting sexually transmitted infections through oral sex, like syphilis, gonorrhea, genital herpes, HPV, and chlamydia. It's even possible to get HIV through oral sex. When you combine these physical risks with feelings of regret, loss of innocence, the chance of getting a bad reputation, or memories you can't forget, oral sex isn't safe.

Who is affected most by STIs?
Girls are affected most by STIs.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) occurs when disease-causing bacteria migrate upward from the urethra and cervix into the upper genital tract. Many different bacteria can cause PID, but most cases are associated with gonorrhea and genital chlamydial infections, two very common STIs.

Basically, PID causes a buildup of scar tissue in the fallopian tubes and other parts of the female reproductive organs. Infertility occurs in approximately 25 percent of women who have had PID. In addition, untreated PID can cause chronic pelvic pain and scarring in about 20 percent of patients. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Society for Reproductive Medicine. 1997 Assisted Reproductive Technology Success Rates. National Summary and Fertility Clinic Reports. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 1999:41)

What are the ultimate benefits to abstinence before marriage?

• Forming Healthy Relationships
• Building self-esteem
• Planning for the future
• Preserving goals and dreams
• Averting life threatening STIs
• Avoiding unintended pregnancy
• Eliminating negative emotion

So what can I do to beat the odds?
You can beat the odds through choosing abstinence and by having a strong Game Plan.