High school students are at risk when they engage in unprotected sex. The average age of high school students is thirteen through eighteen - much too young to be burdened with an unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, or AIDS! All of these situation may be the result of unprotected sex. As a teenagers, you may take risks, test limits and question authority. BUT, not listening to warnings about unprotected sex is like playing Russian roulette: maybe you won't get infected, maybe you will. Sexually transmitted diseases can be treated but none can be cured of AIDS (American Health Network, 1998). When you have sex, you are not having sex with only your partner, you are having sex with each and every person your partner has known! In 1993, 588 AIDS cases were diagnosed among 13 to 19 years old. Due to the fact that infection may occur up to ten years before diagnosis, most of these teenagers were infected with HIV either as adolescents or pre-adolescents. Also, this same age group is experiencing higher rates of sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea and chlamydia, genital herpes, hepatitis B and syphilis (Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 1998).

The best way to avoid sexually transmitted diseases is not to have sex at all (abstinence). A second way would be to limit sex to one partner who also limits his/her sex (monogamy). Also, USE CONDOMS. Although condoms are not 100% safe, but when they are used properly, they reduce the risk of STDs and AIDS. AIDS is of special concern because it is deadly. All teens should know that about two-thirds of AIDS cases inthe United States were the result of intercourse with an infected partner. EXPERTS BELIEVE MANY OF THESE PEOPLE COULD HAVE AVOIDED AIDS JUST BY USING CONDOMS. Do you believe that other forms of birth control such as the IUD, diaphragm, cervical cap or pill protects you from disease? Not True! If you use any other form of birth control, you still need to use a condom to reduce the risk of STDs and AIDS. It is up to you - you're in control - just remember that what you do now can and will effect your life and your health for for years to come. Play it smart! Choose abstinence. If not, then make sure you don't have unprotected sex. If you decide to have sex, have PROTECTED SEX.