Medical services are available at private physicians' offices and local health departments. In addition, some areas have school-based or school-linked health centers where youths may obtain medical treatment.
59. May a licensed physician treat a youth without the consent of the youth's parents?
Yes, if the parent or guardian of a youth cannot be located or if delay for consent would endanger the life of the youth. Parental consent is not required for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, abuse of alcohol and other drugs, emotional disturbance or pregnancy. However, it may be wise for the doctor to inform parents of treatment, with permission of the youth, in order that they may assist in treatment and care. If emancipated, youths may provide the necessary consent for their own medical treatment.
60. What are STDs?
STD is an abbreviation for sexually transmitted disease. STDs are contagious and cause serious health problems. The most frequently occurring STDs are chlamydia, herpes and Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Some other sexually transmitted diseases are gonorrhea and syphilis. Some venereal diseases have no outward symptoms and therefore may not be detected until permanent physical damage occurs. Others have very obvious and painful symptoms. Lesion-producing STDs such as syphilis and herpes can increase a person's risk for contracting HIV infection. Other STDs such as chlamydia and HPV can cause infertility. Most STDs are curable with the use of antibiotics such as penicillin. Exceptions are HIV, herpes and HPV; there is no cure for these infections. The safest way to prevent STDs is to abstain from sexual activity. Youths who are sexually active take a chance of exposing themselves to STDs and causing permanent physical damage or death to themselves and others. Someone who is sexually active can reduce the risk of acquiring an STD by using a condom properly.
61. What is AIDS?
AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. AIDS is the end stage of a disease caused by Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). HIV attacks the body's immune system, which protects you against diseases. HIV is transmitted when infected blood, semen or vaginal fluids get into a person's body. The safest way to avoid getting HIV is not to have sex and not to shoot
drugs and share needles. If someone is sexually active, he/she can reduce the risk of contracting HIV by using a condom. If someone is an intravenous drug user, he/she can reduce the risk of contracting HIV by not sharing needles and syringes. Infected women can pass HIV to their unborn babies. You cannot tell by looking at people if they are infected with HIV. People
can have HIV and look well, feel well, and stay healthy for years. Once a person gets infected with HIV, he/she is infected for life. At present, there is no cure for HIV or AIDS.
You cannot get HIV or AIDS from:
� shaking hands, hugging, sneezing or coughing;
� using toilet seats or swimming pools;
� being in the same classroom or sitting beside someone who is infected;
� sharing drinks, food, glasses, dishes, spoons or forks.
In other words, you cannot get HIV by being near someone who has HIV. There is no test for AIDS, but there is a blood test for the HIV antibodies. The HIV antibody test will not tell you if you have AIDS, but it can tell you if you are carrying the antibodies to HIV. Your local health department offers free HIV testing and counseling. For more information, talk to your
family physician, your local health department or the National AIDS Hotline at
1-800-342-AIDS.
62. What is birth control?
Birth control refers to methods used to prevent pregnancy. The best way to prevent pregnancy is to avoid sexual activity. If someone is sexually active, the risk of pregnancy can be reduced by the careful use of contraceptives. More information is available at community health departments or from private physicians.
63. If pregnant, where can a youth obtain counseling to discuss what alternatives are available?
A pregnant youth may go to a parent, a counselor with the local health department or social services department, or a minister to discuss her alternatives.
64. What is prenatal care?
Prenatal care is the professional medical care of a mother and her baby before birth. This care is extremely valuable, sometimes critical, to pregnant women and results in healthier babies.
65. What is postnatal care?
Postnatal care is the care of a mother and her baby after the baby is born. It allows medical professionals to check the health of the baby and treat any problems that may develop.
66. If a youth chooses to place her baby for adoption, when should that decision be made?
A decision to place a baby for adoption may be made at any time during a pregnancy. If this option is chosen, it should be accomplished as soon as possible after the baby is born. There are many public and private adoption agencies that will assist young mothers in the adoption process. Youths may look in the yellow pages under inadoption servicesln or contact the county Department of Social Services.
67. If a youth decides to keep her baby, what services are available to assist her?
The county Department of Social Services can advise those who need information about various programs available in their county or community.
68. Where should youths turn for help when they feel they cannot cope?
Youths may turn to their parents, minister, local mental health agency, or school principal, teacher, guidance counselor, or social worker. Sometimes it is a great help to the youth to talk with a responsible person who understands and may be able to shed some light on things in a way the youth never considered. Things that trouble youths often appear bigger than life and insurmountable, but they may get better if the youth will take the first step to get help by reaching out to caring, responsible adults.
69. What is sickle cell disease and sickle cell trait?
Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder. It occurs when an individual inherits an abnormal gene for hemoglobin from each parent. With sickle cell disease, red blood cells lose their round, doughnut-shaped appearance and form a sickle shape. When the sickled cells attempt to travel through small blood vessels, they become stuck, and the vessels become blocked, causing painful episodes and complications from damage to vital organs. Even though most teens know whether or not they have sickle cell disease, it is important to be tested for sickle cell trait. Sickle cell trait means a person has a single sickle cell gene. In other words, a person who has sickle cell trait is a is carrier of the sickle cell gene, but they cannot later develop sickle cell disease. Usually persons with sickle cell trait are healthy and rarely have any health problems related to the trait. However, teens need to know whether they are carriers of the trait, particularly as they reach child-bearing age and plan marriage. When both parents have sickle cell trait, there is a 25 percent chance that the infant will have sickle cell disease. A simple blood test can determine if you are at risk. This test is available free of charge at every local health department in North Carolina.
70. Who is likely to have sickle cell disease?
Most people in the United States with this disease are of African ancestry. However, the disease is not limited to African-Americans. Persons of Mediterranean origin, Caribbean, South and Central American, Arab and East Indian ancestry may also be affected.
71. Is there a cure for sickle cell disease?
Presently, there is no widely available cure for sickle cell disease. However, several children who have received bone marrow transplants are now free of sickle cell disease. Treatment has advanced so that with proper medical management, individuals may lead productive lives. For more information, contact your local health department or the N.C. Sickle Cell Syndrome Program at (919) 715-3411.
72. How can I lose weight?
It is recommended that youths discuss any plans for weight loss with a health care provider, either a family physician or local health department professional. A person can lose weight by increasing physical activity and reducing caloric intake. Studies have shown that inactivity is frequently the cause of teenagers being overweight. Since the teenage years are still growth years, weight reduction diets should follow basic nutrition principles using the Food Guide Pyramid as a guide (bread and cereals; vegetables and fruits; milk and dairy products; meat, fish or poultry; limited amounts of fats). To lose weight, eat less fat and get some exercise every day. You can reduce your fat intake by eating less fried, greasy foods and high-fat snacks, like chips and fries. Cutting down on sweets, candy, cookies, soft drinks and sweet tea will also help. Three meals a day should be eaten, with emphasis on fruits, vegetables, low-fat meat and milk, and whole grain breads and cereals. Crash diets should be avoided. A weight loss of one-half to one pound per week is healthy for teens.
73. What are fad or crash diets? Are they effective?
Fad diets are diets not based on sound nutrition principles and usually contain a gimmick to attract the public's attention. These diets frequently omit one or more groups of food. Calorie levels are dangerously low so that a large amount of weight can be lost in a short period. Fad diets may result in quick weight loss, but they are very unsafe and can cause serious illness. Because a person on such a diet does not learn to eat in such a way that he/she can maintain weight loss, weight is frequently gained back rapidly.
74. What about diet pills?
Diet pills can be extremely dangerous. Physicians generally do not prescribe them for children or teens. Even diet pills available in drug stores can be very harmful and should not be taken.
75. Where can you get help with a weight problem?
Doctors and health departments can provide consultation. There are many organizations that have been formed to help people lose weight. Consult your doctor or local health department before joining one of these groups.
76. What is anorexia?
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by self-starvation and obsessive exercising. It is generally found in adolescent girls but can also be in older women or in men. Anorexia nervosa is a psychological condition with severe physical results. There are life-threatening complications that arise from self-starvation. Both the psychological and physical aspects must be dealt with through treatment. The anorexic person will seldom realize her condition or need for help.
77. What is bulimia?
Bulimia, like anorexia, is an eating disorder. With bulimia, however, the individual may eat great quantities of food (called icbingeingla), then empty himself/herself through vomiting or laxatives (called purging). Bulimia is a dangerous cycle and may also have life-threatening health complications.
78. Is there a cure for anorexia and bulimia?
Yes, but medical help should be sought.