The pediatrician and the sexually active adolescent. a primer for sexually transmitted diseases
Lappa, S.; Moscicki, A.B.
Pediatric Clinics of North America 44(6): 1405-1445
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 0031-3955
PMID: 9400580
DOI: 10.1016/s0031-3955(05)70567-8
Accession: 033889164
Sexual activity is a common practice among young adolescents, placing them at high risk for STDs, many of which have long-term consequences. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to limit both the consequences and the spread of these infections. The clinician has a responsibility to the adolescent patient to recognize and treat these diseases. Using history and physical examination, the clinician should be able to determine an adolescent's risk for an STD, and, based on this risk, undertake the appropriate evaluations. Patient treatment, follow-up, and management of sex partners are then guided by the results of either presumptive or definitive diagnostic tests.