If you are adopting a teenager or you already have, you need to be prepared to speak openly about sex and sexually transmitted diseases. You need to know about the potential risk of disease, so you can share this information with your teenager. That is because teenagers in foster care are more likely to be sexually active than their peers are and less likely to use protection. While they may want to please you, chances are they will not stop this risky behavior just because you adopted them.

Approximately 6.2 million Americans contract a new genital HPV infection each year. There are about 20 million people currently infected with HPV. Sexually active individuals have at least a 50 percent chance of getting a genital HPV infection during their lifetime. Eight out of 10 women will have acquired genital HPV by the time they reach 50.

The human papillomavirus (HPV) names a group of viruses, which include over 100 different strains or types that cause a sexually transmitted disease (STD), called Genital HPV infection. Over 30 of these HPV viruses are transmitted through sexual contact and can infect the genital area of men and women. Infected areas may include the skin of the penis, vulva, anus, and the linings of the vagina, cervix, or rectum.

One dangerous attribute of being infected by HPV is not knowing you are infected. Because there may not be any symptoms, which can contribute to the virus being passed on to others. Although there is no “cure” for HPV, eventually the infection will usually just clear up. Some viruses are referred to as "high-risk" types of HPV and may cause abnormal Pap tests. This may lead to cervical cancer, or cancer of the vulva, vagina, anus, or penis. Low-risk types may cause genital warts or mild Pap test abnormalities.

The virus lives in the skin or mucous membranes. Symptoms that can occur are genital warts, or pre-cancerous changes in the cervix, vulva, anus, or penis. The HPV infection can rarely result in anal or genital cancers. Diagnosis of most women is based on abnormal Pap test. However there is also a specific test available to detect HPV DNA in women. There is no HPV tests available for men.

Regular Pap testing with the suggested medical follow-up, and treatment if necessary, can help ensure that pre-cancerous changes in the cervix caused by HPV infection do not develop into life threatening cervical cancer. The Pap test used in U.S. cervical cancer screening programs is responsible for greatly reducing deaths from cervical cancer.

Abstinence is the best way to eliminate risk for genital HPV. While condom use can reduce the risk of genital HPV infection, it does not eliminate the risk.

An article in the Child Welfare League of America contained the following information about teenagers in foster care and sex.

“In one major study on sexual activity among youths in foster care, it reported that 41.1% had had intercourse, 40.5% were recently sexually active, and 56.8% had intercourse while in the current family foster home.
In a 1992 survey, 86% of all teens age 15 and older in the custody of the Vermont Department of Social and Rehabilitate Services reported that they were sexually active….reported that of the sexually active teens in foster care, only 38% reported using any type of contraceptive regularly.

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Herpes - Common STDs Your Teenager Should Know About
Chlamydia - Common STDs Your Teenager Should Know About
How to Get Your Older Adopted Child to Talk to You
Immunization for Cervical Cancer
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