Teenagers (adolescents) and young adults are at higher risk of getting a sexually transmitted infection (STI) for several reasons. Teenagers are more likely to:

• Have many sex partners.
• Have unprotected sexual intercourse.
• Have more than one sex partner at a time.
• Not talk about safe sex practices with sex partners.
• Not understand the concern about STIs and how they are transmitted.
• Not be prepared or understand how to use protective measures to prevent STIs.
• Not know their bodies well enough to be aware of symptoms that may indicate STIs.
• Not seek medical care for STI symptoms.
• Not have access to treatment or be able to afford treatment.
• Use alcohol and drugs and have sex. Drugs and alcohol impair judgment and make unsafe sex more likely.