STDs in Valley teens on the rise

With the new school year in full swing, Dr. Vivien Pacold, of the Pacold Medical Clinic in Cathedral City, says kids are getting busy.

“I’m seeing an upswing in sexually transmitted diseases, which I have not seen before. I’m seeing as early as 14 years old,” she said.

Pacold says she used to see a couple of cases a month. She now sees at least 2-3 teens a week coming in with the most common viruses including Human Papillomavirus (HPV), Herpes and Chlamydia.

Thomas Stone has three grand kids including a 12-year-old granddaughter. He says those numbers are alarming but not surprising.

“Kids think it can’t happen to them. When I was a kid, I thought the same thing,” said Stone.

Physicians stress prevention and want parents to be aware.

“It’s a concern for parents because they don’t know how early kids are learning about sexual behavior,” she said.

They urge parents to keep kids active in school-related extracurriculars or athletics and have “the talk” with them sooner rather than later.

“This is something that’s difficult to control. If it’s happening at school or when parents are at work. The conversation has to start earlier,” said Pacold.

Pacold says a her message to kids is to listen to their parents when they have a sex talk.

Physicians encourage parents to bring their kids to a local clinic to pick up more information to help get the message across of protection and prevention.

Stone says, “It is an uncomfortable conversation, but you have to talk to kids about it. Let them know you’re there for them.”