Background Information:

Teen alcohol consumption - a rising trend
In the 11-15 group, alcohol consumption has more than doubled in the last ten years. There has been a similar, though not quite so marked increase, among 16-24 year olds. The UK has some of the highest levels of consumption of alcohol among young people in Europe. Binge drinking, particularly dangerous in terms of health and personal safety, is practically unique to the UK.

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
Recent statistics from Genitourinary Medicine (GUM) clinics across the UK show a dramatic increase in chlamydia and genital warts, especially in the 15-19 age group.

Chlamydia
The most common female gynaecological bacterial infection. Can also affect men. Can affect the urethra, vagina, uterus and fallopian tubes. Often there are no symptoms, particularly in women, though can cause discharge and make urinating painful. The real health risk is infertility. One in three women who are infected get pelvic inflammatory disease, which damages the fallopian tubes making it difficult to conceive. In men chlamydia can cause inflammation in the tubes in the testes where sperm are produced, leading to fertility problems. Chlamydia can be identified from testing a fluid sample from the vagina or urethra. Antibiotic treatment for both partners will clear up the infection.

Genital warts
Over 20 different types of human papilloma virus (HPV) can lurk in the vagina and penis - only a few cause visible genital warts which may not cause any symptoms and, if they are out of sight, inside the vagina or anus, or around the cervix, no one may know they are there. Since some wart viruses are linked to early cancerous changes in the cervix and vulva in women, the penis in men, and the anus in both sexes, it is important to have them checked out. See Links.

Sources of help and advice
Research reports frequently show that younger teens in particular have a lack of awareness of GUM and birth control services, and where to find them. Approaches to improving health and well-being of young people need to address this, and to make sure services are accessible and appropriate. See Links.

HIV and AIDS - the risks
The risk of exposure to HIV is related to a person's sexual behaviour. People who have sex without taking precautions to protect themselves from HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases put themselves, and any future partners, at risk. The more partners they have without taking precautions, the greater the risk. Given that viruses and bacteria are part of the human condition, education about sexual health, and protection from sexually transmitted infections is essential for people of all sexual orientations, as is the practice of safer sex.

HIV and AIDS - UK trends
While the incidence of AIDS itself is low in the UK there has been a marked rise in people diagnosed with HIV infections over the last ten years. Recent figures suggest that for those likely to have been infected as a result of heterosexual intercourse, numbers have more than doubled since 1992.