For the most part kids learn about sexually transmitted diseases when they are getting diagnosed with them. |
In our culture, talking about sex is embarrassing, and talking about diseases that come from sex is even more so. And because people don't talk about it, there's not a good way for teenagers to learn about it. |
Teens don't learn much in schools about diseases other than HIV, especially not the details about how to test for them or treat them. And often when teenagers do get a disease, they're not going to tell their friends about it, because they're embarrassed. That contributes to the myth that there isn't that much to worry about other than HIV. |