Advanced technology, the reality of a global village and exposure to information poses huge threats to parents and kids when it comes to wrong or inaccurate information. Kids read a lot of stuff online that their parents could only hear from a few of their own parents or from some teachers. Today, parents who don’t take initiative in tackling sex education issues get the issues brought to them by kids after it has been read somewhere else or shared by a ‘knowledgeable’ classmate. With increased experimentation when it comes to sex, kids are facing the burden of dealing with STDs more than ever before. This is why parents need to take the extra step to learn the best ways to talk to their kids about STDs.

Common STDs

Many paediatric departments are faced with increased cases of STDs such as gonorrhoea, chlamydia, syphilis, anogenital warts, HIV and trichomoniasis. Some STDs can be brought about by sexual abuse and paediatricians use individualised approaches to assess each case. STDs are quite recurrent in pre-pubertal children who are beginning to explore various aspects of their sexuality.

Chlamydia is a top STD reported among sexually active teenagers that are spread through vaginal, oral or anal sex. It is also possible for infected mothers to pass it onto their newborn children during the birth process.According to according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 100,000 pregnant women each year are affected by this.

Talking to Children about STDs

It is important for the parent to lay a special foundation in talking about STDs and their dangers to their children. This will help the child sieve out inaccurate information gleaned from other sources regarding the risks, effects and treatment. STDs such as chlamydia that are referred to as silent due to their asymptomatic nature can cause serious problems when the child is unable to be assessed early enough and interventions put in place. Chlamydia treatment, as well as preventive measures, should include part of the conversation to make it all rounded and prevent the effects of this disease whose infections are often times unnoticeable.

Signs and Symptoms

Parents should use simple language depending on the child’s age to explain the signs and symptoms. In the case of chlamydia among girls, they include abnormal vaginal discharge, lower back pain, fever, lower abdominal pain, and a burning sensation when passing urine. Boys may have an abnormal discharge from the penis, a burning sensation when urinating, pain or tenderness in the testicles and an itch at the penile tip. There can also be inflammation and redness of the eyes in both sexes.

Treatment and Prevention

Chlamydia treatment involves antibiotics prescription (azithromycin or doxycycline) by a paediatrician. Other medication (erythromycin) for chlamydial pneumonia and conjunctivitis can also be issued when the conditions are present. Chlamydia treatment should help resolve the issue well as long as the dosage is adhered to. Children should be taught about safe sex and maintain regular tests for the sexually active. With all these ideas in mind, you should be able to talk to your kid about STD’s in a way they can understand.