STDs in Teens: Testing and Treatment (S2:E7)

Charting Pediatrics

Treating STDs in adolescent patients can be a challenge for today’s busy pediatrician. Eliza Buyers, MD, of the Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology team at Children’s Colorado returns to our pediatric podcast to provide practical tools for preventing and treating sexually transmitted infections in teens.

In this episode:

• Why STD rates are higher in adolescents and young adults
• How PCPs can address teen reproductive health challenges
• Why we need to consider age as the primary risk factor for STDs
• Examining the issue of STD rates as a health disparity
• Importance of conducting universal screening in sexually active adolescents
• Expedited partner therapy (EPT) and its importance
• Recommended STD and HIV screening periods for different populations
• Screening guidelines for STD examinations in the absence of symptoms.
• Approaching one-to-one time with teen patients
• Importance of promoting condom use to prevent STDs in teens
• When to consider screening for less common STDs
• Why it’s crucial to know confidential screening clinics you can send your patients

STD management resources:

• The CDC STD treatment guidelines mobile app
• CDC STD treatment guidelines for special populations