Teens, Sex & STDs Onondaga County has higher than expected rates for gonorrhea and recent trends are alarming, according to study By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
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ationwide, fewer of today's teens engage in sexually activity than those of 25 years
among them has been infected. "They also aren't quite clear on how STDs are spread," Lloyd said. ago. "You can pick them up through The Centers for Disease Control's anal or oral sex as well. I make it a "Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance" point to emphasize these facts when states that of all high school students, I make presentations. Even many 46 percent have engaged in interschool administrators don't realize course at least once. By senior year, this." 62 have had sex. Overall, around Skin to skin contact without 9 million teens have experienced actual intercourse can spread some intercourse. STDs, irrespective of condom use National data also shows that because condoms do not cover all of 79 percent of female teens and 84 the affected tissues. percent of males used a method of The Centers for Disease Control contraception the first time they had states on its website, "Consistent and sexual intercourse — and those using correct use of male latex condoms condoms greatly reduce their risk of can reduce (though not eliminate) the contracting STDs. risk of STD transmission." Despite these trends, people One reason is that people don't aged 15 to 24 represent about half of always use condoms correctly. Also, the estimated 20 million new cases of sometimes condoms break. STDs annually in the nation. "The most reliable ways to avoid Local community health edutransmission of sexually transmitted cators still see far too many STDs diseases (STDs), including human among the area's teens, the opposite immunodeficiency virus (HIV), are trend of the nationwide statistics. to abstain from sexual activity or to "Right now we're seeing gonbe in a long-term, mutually monogaorrhea and Chlamydia in large mous relationship with an uninfected numbers among all persons, not just partner," The Centers further states. teens," said Tiffany Lloyd, house "However, many infected persons education coordinator at Family may be unaware of their infections Planning Service of the Onondaga because STDs are often asymptomatCounty Health Department. ic or unrecognized." Local data also indicates a rise in Lloyd encourages parents of STDs. teens to try to help the young people "The Onondaga County Vourgsnti, Com- Paonessafeel comfortable about discussing sex and Byler. munity Health Assessment and so that they receive accurate informaImprovement Plan, 2014-2017" states, tion. "The increase in gonorrhea incidence Initiating the conversation disproportionately impacts females themselves also empowers parents to aged 15 to 24. Onondaga County has help instill the values they want their higher than expected rates for gonor- teens to share. But many parents find rhea and recent trends are alarming." the subject awkward, especially if From 2010, the rate jumped from they fear the conversation may cause 80.3 per 100,000 to 188.4 per 100,000 greater interest in sex. by 2012. The data didn't distinguish A television show, movie or age of the patients. news story that touches on STDs In 2013, the Oswego County may help parents raise the subject Health Department reported 285 without sounding too personal, cases of Chlamydia, up from 126 in which can backfire and cause teens to 2009. Over the same time period, clam up. By explaining the possible cases of gonorrhea jumped from six consequences of intercourse, parents to 40. The county's data accounts for can arm teens with the information all ages. they need to choose wisely and keep Lloyd said that concern over themselves safe. unwanted pregnancy prevention has More teens who choose absticontributed to the increase in nence have become outspoken about STD cases for some teens. their choice. They are starting to use "I think there was a time where long-acting contracepwe were worried they'd be teased tives such as intraby peers, but now I'm seeing teens uterine devices and exercising their right to set boundimplanted contraceparies," Lloyd said. "If you choose tives instead of connot to have sex, it's your choice doms. The former two and no one bothers you about it. do nothing to prevent It's part of a movement going STDs. across the nation. I see a Teens perceive lot of it. Teens choose pregnancy as a what they will or won't more imminent do and they're resolute threat since they with their decision." likely attend school with other Tiffany Lloyd, house teens who were education coordinator parents. But few at Family Planning likely discuss Service of the STDs with their ZAHI N. DMITRIY GENNADY Onondaga County peers or even MAKHULI, M.D. NIKOLAVSKY, MD BRATSLAVSKY, M.D. know who Health Department. Professor Assistant Professor Professor & Chairman Department of Urology
SPECIALTIES: Urologic Oncology Robotic and laparoscopic surgery of prostate, kidney, bladder, and adrenal
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GENNADY BRATSLAVSKY, MD
ZAHI N. MAKHULI, MD
SPECIALTIES: urologic oncology robotic and laparoscopic surgery of prostate, kidney, bladder, and adrenal
SPECIALTIES: general urology, andrology
Professor & Chairman Department of Urology
JC TRUSSELL, MD
Associate Professor Department of Urology SPECIALTIES: male infertility, erectile dysfunction, andrology, general urology
OLEG SHAPIRO, MD
Associate Professor Departments of Urology and Radiation Oncology SPECIALTIES: urologic oncology & endourology, robotic and laparoscopic surgery of prostate, kidney, bladder, and adrenal; renal stone disease
JESSICA E PAONESSA, MD
Assistant Professor Department of Urology SPECIALITIES: nephrolithiasis (kidney stones); enlarged prostate, urination problems; voiding dysfunction; bladder surgery; kidney surgery
Professor Department of Urology
RAKESH KHANNA, MD
Assistant Professor Department of Urology SPECIALTIES: urologic oncology robotic and laparoscopic surgery of prostate, kidney, bladder, and adrenal
JONATHAN RIDDELL, MD
FRCS Assistant Professor y Department of Urology SPECIALTY: pediatric urology
RYAN SIDEBOTTOM, MD RY
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DMITRIY NIKOLAVSKY, MD
Assistant Professor Department of Urology SPECIALTIES: female/male incontinence urethral stricture disease pelvic organ prolapse vessico vaginal fistula, reconstructive surgery
IMAD NSOULI, MD
Associate Professor Department of Urology Associate Professor SPECIALTY: general urology
SRINIVAS VOURGANTI, MD
Assistant Professor Department of Urology SPECIALITIES: urologic oncology; prostate cancer, bladder cancer; kidney cancer; penile cancer
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Assistant A ssis Professor D epa Department of Urology S PEC SPECIALITY: general ffemale ema urologic health
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January 2016 •
IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper
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