How much do you know about STD's?

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   Davinagirl3posted 14 years ago

   I have noticed that some of my younger classes have some serious misconceptions about the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases.  Any insights, or questions that you need cleared up?  I am not a doctor.  I am a health educator who teaches adult classes on HIV/AIDS and STD's.  I can give general information on the basic facts and transmission of these diseases.  I am interested in hearing your thoughts about these diseases and the state of sex education in the US.  I shudder at what our children will be exposed to because of ignorance on our government's part.

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      Lady_Eposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      From experience (not experience of STD's) I would suggest you get a very good DVD (obviously related to STD's) for them to watch.  Let them discuss it with each other in groups after watching and be ready to answer their questions.  Good Luck

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      Ambitionposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      STD spread by having sex with a person already affected from that disease. i think AIDS is a kind of STD

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   Colebabieposted 14 years ago

   I work in health promotions and teach sexual health to our students. The STI presentation is our most requested. But it's good to know I'm not the only educated one out there Sex education wasn't too bad when I was in high school, but it wasn't great either.

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      Davinagirl3posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I got the rare opportunity to teach a group of 10th grade girls in my area.  The amount of information they didn't have was overwhelming.  I went to high school 15 years ago, and we had sex ed.  Nowadays, it is forbidden in most public high schools in the states.

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         Maddie Ruudposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         We were required to take sex ed in 8th grade and again in 10th, in the Berkeley public school system.  We also had free condoms available to us in high school.  But that's the People's Republic of Berkeley for you.

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            Davinagirl3posted 14 years agoin reply to this

            That is fantastic... Yea! for Berkeley.

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   Colebabieposted 14 years ago

   Well I teach college students. Mostly freshmen, sometimes upper division. We go into great detail about STIs etc. But it still amazes me the questions that I get and lack of information out there. I had sex education in 7th grade, and then in high school I had an abstinence driven program. I was in a medical magnet so I learned most of my information from clinicals and internships.
   
   At the office that I work at we provide free condoms and lubrication, HIV testing, and off campus resources. But I am at a university.

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      Davinagirl3posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Until last year, I worked for a non-profit agency that did the same thing.  It is very gratifying work... handing out condoms.

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   jenblacksheepposted 14 years ago

   I live in the UK and I had tons of sex ed when I was a teenager ... but I did go to one of the better schools in the area. There are lots of teenage mums around where I live and people who clearly know nothing.
   
   I had a very patronising talk from a nurse today when I went to get a shot for my holiday. She said they were doing chlamidia testing and did I want a test done. I told her I didnt think I needed one (which I didnt) and she then made me tell her why I didn't think I needed one. Perhaps I looked to her like the stupid promiscuous type ...
   
   Better to be ..err .. safe than sorry i guess!

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   Frenchmaidposted 14 years ago

   I LIVE IN WINNIPEG MANITOBA (CANADA)
   
   Since i work with teacher and i actually is the secretary of the physical and health teacher i think i am good in this department, last year we produce the curriculum guide for sexual education for all the grades. Its funny because one day my son  had a sex head class and he goes...hey i know about this so his teacher goes well how do you know it just came out so my son goes my mom wrote this... the teacher did not believe him so my son said look at the front her name is there... he smile and go....oh....lucky you...!!! i was pretty funny!!!

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   B.Z. Alixandreposted 14 years ago

   I don't really encounter too many teens with those questions.  When I was a teen I was pretty precocious and curious about sex, so I did what I've always done, researched what I was interested in.  I didn't have sex until I was 21, which was just how it happened, not some grand design on my part or anything.  By then I was very well read on most aspects of the subject, from STI's and Pregnancy to Kama Sutra.  When I discussed sex with my little cousins (not that little, they were teens) I was surprised not at their knowledge of STI's but their knowledge of sex in general.  They didn't really understand what oral sex was or the emotional and physical complications of it, but the most distressing misunderstanding was their own internal conflict.  They didn't want to have sex, but their bodies responded during making out and stuff, and they didn't understand that their biological responses would conflict with their decision.  I am generally appalled at how sex is discussed, or more often not discussed, in the US.  This is definitely a case of knowledge is power.  When I told them they needed to understand what their personal "do not cross" line they looked at me like I had just imparted great wisdom to them.  Out of all my friends that wanted to wait, I was the only one who did, and I wasn't waiting for a time period, or specific point of a relationship (marraige or commitment or anything) I was just waiting til I was ready.  And I'm one of a few of my friends who neither regrets my choices nor has a seriously screwed up sex life.

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   Dame Scribeposted 14 years ago

   practicing abstininence used get me called a nun but least I can brag bout being disease free lol but yes, same here, sex ed during phys ed in jr high and again in high school now my sons understand it too and always pick up free condoms from the health clinics. I think education is key to preventing STD's. Watched a documentary on congolese women n guys (actual mercs?) said they won't get it (AIDS) because they have a special medicinal plant yeah, sure

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   lrohnerposted 14 years ago

   Davina - My only comment is that I now know that you are a teacher. And God Bless You. Your students are in very, very good hands.

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