SouthFlorida.com | Teen Link South Florida

STD: It's a tiny little acronym that can change your life forever. A tiny acronym that can even cause your death.

Patrick Campbell, a Stranahan High senior, began his sexual education in the fifth-grade classroom while attending Harbordale Elementary.

"STDs were taking over, and we needed to be taught," Campbell said.

The teacher mentioned HIV/AIDS and hepatitis, and they discussed male and female anatomy.

Richard Davenport of Pompano Beach High had a similar experience.

"We learned about male and female anatomy and a couple of diseases," Davenport said.

Dr. Ana Puga of the Children's Diagnostic Treatment Center of Fort Lauderdale said such education is necessary.

According to the American Social Health Organization, one in every four teens contracts an STD each year.

And a study published in the Archive of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicines found 30 percent of sexually active teens will contract an STD within six months.

Statistics show teens are sexually active. A Centers for Disease Control report found 46 percent of female high school students and 61 percent of male high school students had sexual intercourse in Broward County in 2005.

So what can be done?

Puga, a 12-year veteran in the infectious diseases field, said teens should be offered "health education, with a complete sexual health component."

"It's important in high school," she said. "Sixty percent of high school seniors have already been sexually active."

Students like Miramar High senior Kenia Hall never had sexual education in high school.

"I took health," she said. "They never covered sex ed."

Florida law states that students are supposed to receive HIV and STD prevention education.

Puga, however, said that is not enough.

"Schools should provide a complete sexual education program, which focuses on communication. They should have role-play in situations they might find themselves."

According to a brief released by the CDC, prevention programs that discussed instead of lectured on STDs reported 20 percent fewer new STD cases among participants.

Puga said communication skills are needed to stop the cycle of disease.

"[Patients] have a hard time telling their partners, 'You know I went to the doctor and they found something, so you have to go and get tested,'" she said.

Puga said being aware of the risks and using male and female condoms are the best defenses against STDs.

"Wait until you decide that you absolutely can't wait anymore," she said. "When you're there, make sure you are protected and [you or] your partner wears a condom. If they don't respect you enough to do so, what are you doing with them?"

Hall echoed her sentiment.

"Wait if you can. No matter how much you think you're ready, wait. If you think you've waited long enough, wait some more," she said. "It only takes one time to get infected."