In the 1960's syphilis and gonorrhea, both easily treated with penicillin, were the only important STD's. Today there are over 20 significantly prevalent diseases with 12 million newly infected persons each year. This does not include the bacterial diseases such as chlamydia, syphilis, and gonorrhea which are at very high levels. Unfortunately, STD's are not equal opportunity diseases.
Adolescents have a higher degree of susceptibility than do older people.
The ectropion of the cervix of a female teenager is more likely to become infected than the cervix of a woman in her 20's. While medical science has made great advances, it is clearly not the solution to the STD epidemic. The development of a cure does not guarantee an end to the problem. A vaccine for herpes has been rumored for years, but has not yet been produced. A cure, or vaccine, for the highly complex HIV virus is probably many years away at best.