Control of sexually transmitted diseases in adolescents: the clinician's role

Sexually transmitted diseases common in the adolescent population are associated with significant acute morbidity, complications, and long-term sequelae. Clinicians have the opportunity to play a unique and important role in the control of STD rates among adolescents. Not only are clinicians in a position to routinely discuss healthy sexual development, decision making, and primary STD prevention, they are also in a position to effectively diagnose and manage STDs among both asymptomatic and symptomatic adolescents. Addressing issues related to sexuality and STDs in a consistent and repetitive manner during routine visits will likely increase physician proficiency in this important area of clinical care of adolescents, as well as increase adolescents' recognition of the clinician as a valuable resource.