Sexually transmitted infections in children and Adolescents

Abstract

Sexually transmitted infections (STI) or venereal diseases are a group of infections that are transmitted due to sexual contacts. These occur in children and adolescents mostly as result of sexual assaults or abuses. Increasing number of cases are also seen in the sexually experienced older children. These infections can be asymptomatic or can have a specific symptom complex. Few of these conditions can present with common symptoms like pain or discharge. Prompt recognition of these conditions have good prognosis. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection also has similar mode of transmission as other STIs and there is a role of post-exposure prophylaxis to eliminate the infection. A good psychosocial support and privacy to treatment is required to maintain productive social life.