June 15, 2008
Dear Parents/Guardians:
It has come to our attention through various medical sources that teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases have increased significantly this past school year among Delaware Valley students. The medical staff at Maternal and Family Health Services has reported that there have been 25 to 30 positive pregnancy tests this school year and that they have diagnosed over 300 cases of sexually transmitted infections (STI's) from Delaware Valley students alone. Students as young as twelve are reporting sexual activity.
We have just been informed that a Delaware Valley student has been diagnosed with the first confirmed case of Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) at our school. HIV is a sexually transmitted virus that can lead to AIDS, a condition in which the immune system begins to fail, leading to life-threatening infections. It is our understanding that this affected student has had sexual relations with multiple Delaware Valley students. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) is in the process of identifying and contacting these students who are at risk of contracting this potentially deadly virus.
Other STl's most frequently seen include Human papillomavirus (HPV), herpes and Chlamydia.
These infections affect both males and females and can cause serious health problems. Many people who have HPV don't even know it, since the virus often has no symptoms. That means HPV transmission can happen without anyone knowing it. The most serious complication of HPV is cervical cancer. There are 6 million new cases in the United States of HPV each year and approximately 74% of these cases occur in 15 - 24 year olds. There is a vaccine, Gardasil, which could prevent cervical cancer and should be discussed with your primary care provider. The herpes virus is extremely contagious and since there is no cure, remains in the body for a lifetime. Chlamydia can damage a woman's reproductive organs. Even though symptoms are usually mild, or absent, complications can cause irreversible damage including infertility. Some of the complications of STl's for men include infections of the prostate, testicles, cancer of the penis and sterility.
When young people feel unconnected to home, family, and school, they may become involved in activities that put their health at risk. However, when parents affirm the value of their children, young people more often develop positive, healthy attitudes about themselves. Positive communication between parents and children helps young people to establish individual values and make sexually healthy decisions, of which abstinence is the best choice.
Even though it is our hope that our children are abstaining from sexual activity, young people are often persuaded through peer pressure to experiment sexually. It is so important for you as parents, as well as your child, to be educated and aware of the signs, symptoms and potentially serious health affects of STl's. An unplanned pregnancy can change the outcome of your child's life as well as your own and, of course, put a halt to their future educational plans.
The web can be a valuable resource for educating yourselves and your children about STl's and pregnancy issues. However, not all web sites have totally accurate information. The following are sites that would be very informative: www.cdc.gov; www.safeteens.org; www.dsf.health.state.pa.us/health/site/default.asp; www.4girls.gov
Also, you can call Kristen Bunce, NP of Maternal and Family Health Services (MFHS) at 570-296-8714. MFHS provides free STD testing, counseling and education for parents and teens.
If you have any questions about the information provided in this letter, please feel free to contact me at 570-296-1860.
Sincerely,
Ellen Orben, RN, MSN, CSN
Delaware Valley School District, School Nurse Chairperson
Delaware Valley School District - Educating for Life's Journey
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
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