What would you do if you found out your 17 year old teenager has an STD?

Question

What would you suggest to do in this scenario..You just found out that your teenager has chlamydia even though you have been through the "talks" and have given as much information, warnings,etc..about STD's to this child beforehand. The first instinct is great anger! But there has to be a better way to deal.

Answer 1

I would have my teen medically treated, put on birth control if it was my daughter and discuss the importance of using a condom.Children are irresponsible and the talk isn't enough. Once sexually active, they won't stop. Be grateful it wasn't at the age of 12. Good luck and know you will be shut out if you are angry. Education prevents unwanted pregnancies and deadly STDs like AIDS. Your child is a young adult. It's time to treat him/her as one. You will do a great job.

Answer 2

chlamydia is one of the most common STDs with teens and adults now days. And as for what i would do, i would sit down with them and do the talk again but this time bring up examples that relate to the chlamydia, how they can become sterile and other things. After that i would go deeper into the risks with sex and stds. Oh and you can always bring up the disappointment factor, that hurts some teens worse then anger...

If you are too hard on them they might not talk to you ever again about anything related to sex, and you could then end up with a 17yo Mom or dad.

Answer 3

As a teenager myself, I think it would be in the best interests of your child (and yourself!) to handle this calmly and understandingly. Life nowadays is absolutely FULL of sex icons and images - there's just no way to avoid the influence. Your daughter understood what you had to say, and I'm sure she's feeling pretty bad about herself now anyway. Aside from an "I'm very dissapointed in you", I think getting explosive will only make her feel worse about herself and, in a chain reaction, worse about you.
First, I think you should see a doctor and have him explain EXACTLY what chlamydia is. From my understanding, it can lead to infertility and should not be taken lightly. From then on, I would consider enforcing your child's cerfue more stringently; obviously, she was able to get out to have sex in the first place. Then, once things have calmed down a little, I'd have another talk with her - this time about her boyfriend and how greedy it was of him to pass this disease onto her.
It's going to be nigh impossible to stop her from having sex now, but at least you can point her on the right track again. Tell her your standpoint: If you're going to have sex, use a condom.

Answer 4

Well what I did with my sons was kind of harsh, but it is reality.
I had rather be a bit harsh than let them get sick. I looked up STDs on the net and made them read and look at the pictures. My boys were both over 16 but it did have an impact. I learned a few things too.

Answer 5

All I have to say is thank god it is a curable STD!

I was diagnosed with genital herpes and HPV at the age of 17, both which are INCURABLE STDs. That same year I developed cervical cancer from my HPV. At least your 17 year old isn't going though that!

My mom was actually with me when I saw my doctor about it. I started crying when my doctor told me the news. My mom was in totally shock. All she kept saying was, "no, no, are you sure??" What was even worse was when we got home my mom told my dad and he started crying. I felt so ashamed I couldn't even look at him. I was so distant from my family for the next month or so.

Be supportive of your son or daughter and let them know you are there for them. My mom was the only one I could really talk to about it, she listened to me and let me vent on her. Whatever you do don't be mad at him or make him feel bad. I guarantee you he or she already feels horrible and the last thing they need is their mom or dad making them feel even worse. Good luck!

Answer 6

I would be really upset, but thinking from the kid's prospective they've got to be really scared. I think your best bet is to stick by your child and be there for them during that time......it might strengthen your relationship. I had a friend that went through sort of the same thing..... her mother kicked her out and my mother took her in..... she's not too close to her mother (she didn't talk to her for over 2 years!)....... but she is particularly close to my mother and sees her as her second mother....... and thankfully, my mother was there to help her through that hard time....

Answer 7

I would probably sit down and ask why they feel the need to have unprotected sex. Why they had sex in the first place. And try to understand what they are thinking. Then I would probably kill them. No joking. Ummm..then we would take about how to fix it and how to go about them not getting it again. Then they would be grouded for about a month of no going out and if they wanted to date it would be at home. Thankfully my kids are 6 and 2 and I dont have to worry about it quite yet.

Answer 8

sure it is hard not to be angry but that will only make the situation worse/did she tell you if not encourage her to let you know what is going on i dont have to tell you to go to the doctor because you know that whats done is done you cant change it now but with the proper handling you can prevent it from happening again/she is scared right now assure her you still love her and everything will be ok that by no means are you happy with her about it but everyone makes mistakes we all have....good luck and God Bless

Answer 9

I'd be angry and upset,too.
The possibility exists, though, that this teen was not promiscuous, but had sex with someone who WAS.
Maybe you need to talk with someone to process your own feelings, and then go to your child and help him/her to understand the short and long-term consequences of STDs.
Good luck!

Answer 10

Get to a doctor fast.
Then counseling.
The kid won't give up sex but might be convinced to use protection.