Grades 9 to 12 • Health Problems Series

STDs
Guy, girl, rich, poor, athlete, artist, gamer, straight-A student – sexually
KidsHealth.org/classroom
transmitted diseases don’t discriminate. The good news is that STDs are
preventable. The following activities will help your students understand the risks,
Teacher’s Guide learn how to protect themselves, and know where to find help if they need it.

This guide includes: Related TeensHealth Links

• Standards 5 Myths About STDs
• Related Links TeensHealth.org/en/teens/std-myths.html
• Discussion Questions About Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
TeensHealth.org/en/teens/std.html
• Activities for Students
• Reproducible Materials Talking to Your Partner About STDs
TeensHealth.org/en/teens/the-talk.html

Telling Your Partner You Have an STD

TeensHealth.org/en/teens/stds-talk.html
Standards Chlamydia
This guide correlates with TeensHealth.org/en/teens/std-chlamydia.html
the following National Health Genital Herpes
Education Standards: TeensHealth.org/en/teens/std-herpes.html

Students will: Genital Warts (HPV)

TeensHealth.org/en/teens/std-warts.html
• Comprehend concepts related
to health promotion and Gonorrhea
disease prevention to enhance TeensHealth.org/en/teens/std-gonorrhea.html
health.
• Analyze the influence of HIV and AIDS
family, peers, culture, media, TeensHealth.org/en/teens/std-hiv.html
technology, and other factors
on health behaviors. Syphilis
• Demonstrate the ability to TeensHealth.org/en/teens/std-syphilis.html
access valid information and
products and services to
Pubic Lice (Crabs)
TeensHealth.org/en/teens/std-lice.html
enhance health.
• Demonstrate the ability to use
interpersonal communication Discussion Questions
skills to enhance health and
avoid or reduce health risks.
Note: The following questions are written in language appropriate for sharing with
• Demonstrate the ability to
use decision-making skills to your students.
enhance health.
• Demonstrate the ability to use 1. Name some common STDs. How do they spread?
goal-setting skills to enhance
health. 2. Although anyone who’s sexually active can get an STD, certain behaviors can put
• Demonstrate the ability to people at a higher risk. What are they? What are some behaviors that can reduce
practice health-enhancing the risk? What’s the only behavior that can eliminate the risk?
behaviors and avoid or reduce
health risks. 3. Why do many teens find it difficult to talk about STDs with a partner? A parent?A
• Demonstrate the ability to doctor? What are possible consequences of avoiding these talks?
advocate for personal, family,
and community health.
4. Lots of people – and not just teens - believe that if someone looks “clean,” they
can’t have an STD. The truth is, it’s impossible to tell by appearance alone.
National Health Education In fact, many STDs have no symptoms, so infected people may not even know
Standards: www.cdc.gov/ they have it. What’s the only way to know for sure?
healthyschools/sher/ Where can a teen go for information and testing?
standards/index.htm
© 2017 The Nemours Foundation/KidsHealth. Reproduction permitted for individual classroom use.
 Grades 9 to 12 • Health Problems Series
STDs
Activities for Students
Note: The following activities are written in language appropriate for sharing with your students.

Abby’s Story

Objectives:
Students will:
• Write a 2- to 3-minute talk that demonstrates their understanding of STDs and STD prevention

Materials:
• "Abby’s Story" handout

Class Time:
• 1 hour (briefer if you opt to have students complete the activity as homework)

Activity:
Your friend Abby was shocked to learn she had chlamydia. An STD was something she never thought could happen to
her. But she’s decided to find a silver lining by using her story to educate others. She recently volunteered to give
a talk to a local youth group about the dangers of STDs, and she’s asked for your help writing it. The talk should be
about 400 to 600 words and include:
• Three or more facts about STDs that all teens need to know
• Three or more possible symptoms of STDs
• Why it’s important to talk about STD prevention with any potential sexual partner
• Why it’s important to talk with a doctor about sexual activity
• Three or more resources (trusted adults, medical professionals, clinics, or hotlines) where teens can go for
reliable information and testing

Extensions:
1. Ask for volunteers to give the talk that they wrote for Abby to the class.

2. Create STD factsheets to go along with the talks. Include symptoms and prevention information for chlamydia,
gonorrhea, syphilis, genital warts (HPV), genital herpes, and HIV.

© 2017 The Nemours Foundation/KidsHealth. Reproduction permitted for individual classroom use.
 Grades 9 to 12 • Health Problems Series
STDs
Do the Right Thing

Objectives:
Students will:
• Offer advice to fictional teens who are dealing with STD-related issues

Materials:
• "Do the Right Thing" handout
• "Parent Letter" handout

Class Time:
• 45 minutes

Activity:
STDs aren’t a popular discussion topic. It’s awkward, not to mention highly unromantic. But it’s a conversation that
has to happen if people who are sexually active want to protect themselves from STDs. Read the scenarios on the
"Do the Right Thing" handout. If these teens were your friends, what would you advise them to do? Be sure to
consider all the possible consequences of their actions, or lack of actions, when writing your responses.

Extensions:
1. Invite students to role-play conversations for each of the five scenarios in the "Do the Right Thing" handout.

2. Have students write one fact they were surprised to learn about STDs on the "Parent Letter" handout,
then send it home to encourage continued discussions.

Reproducible Materials
Handout: Abby’s Story
KidsHealth.org/classroom/9to12/problems/conditions/stds_handout1.pdf

Handout: Do the Right Thing

KidsHealth.org/classroom/9to12/problems/conditions/stds_handout2.pdf

Handout: Parent Letter

KidsHealth.org/classroom/9to12/problems/conditions/stds_handout3.pdf

Quiz: STDs
KidsHealth.org/classroom/9to12/problems/conditions/stds_quiz.pdf

Answer Key: STDs

KidsHealth.org/classroom/9to12/problems/conditions/stds_quiz_answers.pdf

KidsHealth.org is devoted to providing the latest children’s health information. The site, which is widely
recommended by educators, libraries, and school associations, has received the “Teachers’ Choice Award
for the Family” and the prestigious Pirelli Award for “Best Educational Media for Students.” KidsHealth comes
from the nonprofit Nemours Foundation. Check out www.KidsHealth.org to see the latest additions!

© 2017 The Nemours Foundation/KidsHealth. Reproduction permitted for individual classroom use.
 Personal Health Series
STDs
Name: Date:

Abby’s Story
Instructions: Read Abby’s story below, then write a speech for her to educate other teens about STDs. The speech
should be about 400 to 600 words and include:

• Three or more facts about STDs that all teens need to know

• Three or more possible symptoms of STDs

• Why it’s important to talk about STD prevention with any potential sexual partner

• Why it’s important to talk with a doctor about sexual activity

• Three or more resources (trusted adults, medical professionals, clinics, or hotlines) where teens can go for
reliable information and testing

Abby’s story: After noticing some vaginal discharge and pain in her lower stomach, Abby was diagnosed with
chlamydia. At first, she was shocked, embarrassed, and angry. She thought STDs didn’t happen to girls like her.
She’d only had sex with one guy, a boyfriend whom she loved and who’d sworn she was his first. It hadn’t even
crossed her mind to talk with him about getting tested. Besides, they’d been pretty safe, using condoms all but a
few times. Now she realizes that the choices she made could affect her life for years to come: The doctor said that
even though she was being treated now, a chlamydia infection as advanced as hers could cause fertility problems
(trouble getting pregnant) later in life. Abby wishes she knew then what she knows now.

© 2017 The Nemours Foundation/KidsHealth. Reproduction permitted for individual classroom use.
 Personal Health Series
STDs
Name: Date:

Do the Right Thing

Instructions: Read the following scenarios. For each one, imagine the main character (in bold) is asking you for
advice. What would you tell him or her?

1. Chris has been having some strange symptoms lately, like discharge from his penis and pain when he pees. He’s
had unprotected sex before, but not in the last 6 months he’s been with his current girlfriend, Lucia. Chris
knows he should see a doctor, but he’s afraid of finding out something that could mess up things with Lucia.
What should Chris do?

2. Austin and his partner are thinking about having sex. They decided to go to a clinic together to get tested. Once
there, though, Austin’s partner backed out, saying that Austin will just have to trust that everything’s fine. What
should Austin do?

© 2017 The Nemours Foundation/KidsHealth. Reproduction permitted for individual classroom use.
 Personal Health Series
STDs
Name: Date:

3. Cade and Lily have been together for a year. They’ve always used condoms. But now that Lily went on the Pill,
she thinks it would be OK if they stopped using condoms. Neither one has ever been tested for STDs. She asks
Cade what he thinks. How should Cade respond?

4. Drew and Arianna hook up sometimes – mostly at parties when they’ve had too much to drink. Sometimes they
use condoms, sometimes they don’t, and sometimes they don’t even remember. Both see other people as well.
Arianna just found out she has HPV. What should Arianna do?

5. Gabby just read a text message on her sister Maya’s phone from Maya’s boyfriend. He said he tested positive for
herpes. Maya’s freaking out and doesn’t know what to do. How can Gabby help?

© 2017 The Nemours Foundation/KidsHealth. Reproduction permitted for individual classroom use.
 Personal Health Series
STDs
Date:

Dear ,
parent or guardian

In class, we recently discussed sexually transmitted diseases (STDs): what they are, how they
are spread, and how they can be prevented.

Here’s is one fact related to STDs was surprised to learn about:

student

I hope you’ll use this as an opportunity to continue to talk to your child about this
important health topic. KidsHealth.org offers resources to help with family discussions.

• For parents: KidsHealth.org/en/parents/talk-child-stds.html

• For teens: TeensHealth.org/en/teens/sexual-health

Sincerely,

teacher

© 2017 The Nemours Foundation/KidsHealth. Reproduction permitted for individual classroom use.
 Personal Health Series
STDs
Name: Date:

Quiz
A. Write the STD under its correct description:
Chlamydia Gonorrhea
Genital herpes HIV/AIDS
Genital warts Syphilis

1. Caused by a virus that’s related to the virus that causes cold sores around the mouth. Spreads through any form of unprotected
sex, and can be spread even when someone has no signs of having the virus. May not cause any symptoms or can cause repeated
outbreaks of blisters and painful sores in the genital area. Has no cure, but medications can help control outbreaks.

2. Caused by certain types of the human papillomavirus (HPV). Symptoms include bumps in and around the genitals. Spreads through
any sexual contact (anal, oral, and vaginal), and also by skin-to skin contact. A vaccine exists to help prevent this disease.

 aused by a bacterium called Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Often produces no symptoms. If there are symptoms, they may include painful
3. C
urination and discharge from the penis or vagina. Can be treated with antibiotics. If left untreated, or not treated early in the
infection, more serious long-term problems can result, including infertility, pain, and joint problems.

4. A
 common infection caused by bacteria. Spreads through any form of unprotected sex. May cause discharge, pain, and burning during
urination, but often causes no symptoms at all. Can be treated with antibiotics. Untreated infections can lead to more serious health
problems, such as pelvic inflammatory disease, which can lead to infertility.

5. B
 acterial infection that spreads through any form of unprotected sex and by skin-to-skin contact. Typically has three stages of
increasingly serious symptoms. During the early stages, can be treated with antibiotics. During the later stage, the heart, eyes, and
brain may be affected. If untreated, it may increase the risk of getting HIV.

6. T
 ransmitted through direct contact with the blood or body fluid of someone who is infected (usually through unprotected sex, sharing
needles, or passed from a mother to a baby at birth). Symptoms may take 10 years or more to show. Once they appear, the person is
susceptible to life-threatening infections.

© 2017 The Nemours Foundation/KidsHealth. Reproduction permitted for individual classroom use.
 Personal Health Series
STDs
Name: Date:

B. Mark the “True” or “False” box for each statement:

T F
1. Many people with STDs don’t even know they have them.

2. People who start having sex at a younger age are more likely to get an STD.

3. Using a condom can only help prevent pregnancy, not any STDs.

4. A person who only had unprotected sex once doesn’t have to worry about an STD.

5. The only way to know for sure if you have an STD is to get tested by a medical professional.

6. If you ignore an STD, it will probably go away.

7. The Pill can protect a girl from an STD.

8. You can’t have more than one STD at one time.

9. Having sex with many different partners can increase your risk of getting an STD.

10. As long a person with an STD isn’t sexually active while he or she is having symptoms, their partner can’t
catch the disease.

© 2017 The Nemours Foundation/KidsHealth. Reproduction permitted for individual classroom use.
 Personal Health Series
STDs
Name: Date:

C. Underline the correct answers:

1. What age group has the highest rates of STD infection?

a) 15-24
b) 25-35
c) 36-50
d) 51-60

2. You should see your doctor:

a) before you decide to become sexually active
b) at the first sign of any STD symptom
c) every year for testing if you become sexually active
d) all of the above

3. M
 any STDs:
a) are extremely painful
b) have no symptoms at all
c) cause high fevers
d) cause the flu

Fill in the blank:

4. The only behavior that is 100% effective in preventing all STDs is .

© 2017 The Nemours Foundation/KidsHealth. Reproduction permitted for individual classroom use.
 Personal Health Series
STDs

Quiz Answer Key

A. Write the STD under its correct description:
Chlamydia Gonorrhea
Genital herpes HIV/AIDS
Genital warts Syphilis

1. Caused by a virus that’s related to the virus that causes cold sores around the mouth. Spreads through any form of unprotected
sex, and can be spread even when someone has no signs of having the virus. May not cause any symptoms or can cause repeated
outbreaks of blisters and painful sores in the genital area. Has no cure, but medications can help control outbreaks.

Genital herpes

2. Caused by certain types of the human papillomavirus (HPV). Symptoms include bumps in and around the genitals. Spreads through
any sexual contact (anal, oral, and vaginal), and also by skin-to skin contact. A vaccine exists to help prevent this disease.

Genital warts

 aused by a bacterium called Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Often produces no symptoms. If there are symptoms, they may include painful
3. C
urination and discharge from the penis or vagina. Can be treated with antibiotics. If left untreated, or not treated early in the
infection, more serious long-term problems can result, including infertility, pain, and joint problems.

Gonorrhea

4. A
 common infection caused by bacteria. Spreads through any form of unprotected sex. May cause discharge, pain, and burning during
urination, but often causes no symptoms at all. Can be treated with antibiotics. Untreated infections can lead to more serious health
problems, such as pelvic inflammatory disease, which can lead to infertility.

Chlamydia

5. B
 acterial infection that spreads through any form of unprotected sex and by skin-to-skin contact. Typically has three stages of
increasingly serious symptoms. During the early stages, can be treated with antibiotics. During the later stage, the heart, eyes, and
brain may be affected. If untreated, it may increase the risk of getting HIV.

Syphilis

6. T
 ransmitted through direct contact with the blood or body fluid of someone who is infected (usually through unprotected sex, sharing
needles, or passed from a mother to a baby at birth). Symptoms may take 10 years or more to show. Once they appear, the person is
susceptible to life-threatening infections.

HIV/AIDS

© 2017 The Nemours Foundation/KidsHealth. Reproduction permitted for individual classroom use.
 Personal Health Series
STDs

Quiz Answer Key

B. Mark the “True” or “False” box for each statement:

T F
1. Many people with STDs don’t even know they have them.

2. People who start having sex at a younger age are more likely to get an STD.

3. Using a condom can only help prevent pregnancy, not any STDs.

4. A person who only had unprotected sex once doesn’t have to worry about an STD.

5. The only way to know for sure if you have an STD is to get tested by a medical professional.

6. If you ignore an STD, it will probably go away.

7. The Pill can protect a girl from an STD.

8. You can’t have more than one STD at one time.

9. Having sex with many different partners can increase your risk of getting an STD.

10. As long a person with an STD isn’t sexually active while he or she is having symptoms, their partner can’t
catch the disease.

© 2017 The Nemours Foundation/KidsHealth. Reproduction permitted for individual classroom use.
 Personal Health Series
STDs

Quiz Answer Key

C. Underline the correct answers:

1. What age group has the highest rates of STD infection?

a) 15-24
b) 25-35
c) 36-50
d) 51-60

2. You should see your doctor:

a) before you decide to become sexually active
b) at the first sign of any STD symptom
c) every year for testing if you become sexually active
d) all of the above

3. M
 any STDs:
a) are extremely painful
b) have no symptoms at all
c) cause high fevers
d) cause the flu

Fill in the blank:

4. The only behavior that is 100% effective in preventing all STDs is abstinence .

© 2017 The Nemours Foundation/KidsHealth. Reproduction permitted for individual classroom use.