If left untreated, STDs may cause sterility or cancer. Sometimes a person can have an STD and not know it because there are no obvious symptoms. All sexually involved people need to remember this fact when making sexual decisions. About one in four sexually experienced teens acquires an STD annually. 8 Teens are at high risk for STDs in part because of biological factors.
Young people have immature immune systems that are less able to fight off infection.
Young women have cervical tissue that is different from that of older women, and it is more vulnerable to infection. Because of their anatomy, women are more susceptible to STD infection than men, are less likely to have symptoms, and are more difficult to diagnose. 10 Discussion Questions 1. Because chlamydia and gonorrhea often have no symptoms, many cases are undetected and untreated. It changes your viewpoint on everything.