Implications in an Adolescent of the Contagion of an STI

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Philip Kelley

The Implications that the contagion of an STI would have on an adolescent (sexually transmitted infections) can be physical, due to the consequences of the disease; or psychological, because of the way it can affect you emotionally.

Before analyzing these implications, it must be explained that STIs, also known as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), are those that are spread through sexual intercourse, due to the exchange of fluids that occurs during it..

The best known are gonorrhea, herpes or, more seriously, HIV (human immunodeficiency virus or AIDS).

Implications of an STI in a teenager

Adolescents are a risk group for the spread of these diseases. This is due to the lack of information they have about prevention methods, as well as the difficulties they may find in getting them..

In addition, at those ages there is a psychological feeling of invulnerability, which makes them more reckless.

The consequences of contagion with an STI can be physical or psychological. The most relevant aspects of each will be detailed below:

Physical implications

Adolescence is the time when human beings begin to discover their sexuality. This causes the first sexual relations to begin, often without adequate protection..

Some of these implications are, for example, the damage that the sexual organs can suffer, with ulcers or herpes in the area. Fevers or other symptoms such as blindness may also appear, in the case of gonorrhea or chlamydia..

Likewise, the infertility of the infected person is a risk that some of these diseases carry..

More serious infections can lead to cervical cancer or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome; in the worst of cases, these diseases can lead to death.

What complicates the issue more is that in some of these diseases, visible symptoms do not appear until the infection has developed over time, so the solutions are complicated.

Psychological implications

Although the physical consequences of these types of infections are more serious, there are also a number of psychological implications that must be taken into account.

If for adults there are difficulties in accepting or telling that they suffer from one of these conditions, in the case of adolescents this multiplies. This concealment is not only negative emotionally, but also delays the cure, aggravating the effects.

Cases of depression can be found for this reason. The young man is not able to manage the situation without daring to tell his parents. This, in the most serious cases, can lead to the suicide of the affected person..

These cases are more frequent in women than in men, since they also think that they can be more criticized for having sexual relations.

Finally, it has been proven that having suffered an STI in adolescence makes the emotional development of the person complicated, which causes problems to appear in maintaining new relationships.

References

  1. Batista Anache, Sandris. Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and adolescence. (2009). Retrieved from eumed.net
  2. Andrés Domingo, P. Sexually transmitted infections. Obtained from pediatriaintegral.es
  3. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Sexual Risk Behaviors: HIV, STD, & Teen Pregnancy Prevention. Retrieved from cdc.gov
  4. Larissa Hirsch, MD. About Sexually Transmitted Diseases. Retrieved from kidshealth.org
  5. Stephanie Watson. Teens and STDs: Get the Facts. Retrieved from teens.webmd.com

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