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Experts warn that STDs rise among teens during the summer

Category: Chlamydia

Summer is a time of fun, freedom and relaxation for most teenagers. Unfortunately, it is also a time of increased sexual activity among this age group. Because of this, health officials are warning that teens may have an increased need for STD testing over the summer months.

This is the message from the New Mexico Department of Health, according to local news station KOAT. The agency is reporting that cases of common sexually transmitted diseases like chlamydia and gonorrhea climb significantly among teenagers during the summer.

"Generally, when people are young and starting to have sexual exploration, they have multiple partners," local OB/GYN Dr. Jody Stonehocker told the news source. "Often people have intercourse with the same people in a high school situation or in a clique of friends. They'll have multiple partners in that clique and it'll get passed around back and forth.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said that regular STD testing is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of infections. This may be particularly important for teenagers during the summer.