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Show Sunday, July 16, 2000, THE DAILY HERALD, (ww Hart.TheHtrald.com), 1royo, Utah Page D7 Sexually active teens must take responsibility for health Dear Abby: I am a third-yea- r medical student com- so the teen can learn about "safe sex" - and lower the risk of pregnancy and STDs. Most states allow teenagers to receive confidential medical care and information regarding contraception, pregnancy and STDs without parental permission. Teens can seek free or treatment from local health departments and family planning ciinica Of course, sexual activity involves more than one person. Teen-agboys also need to take responsibility for mitted diseases (STDs). When I explained this to the patient and her mother, they both seemed shocked that we could perform a pelvic exam on such a young teen. (There are smaller instruments made especially for younger girls.) It took much reassurance before we could pleting my pediatrics rotation. I recently saw a girl who thought she might be pregnant because she was experiencing symptoms of morning sickness. As her mother and I listened, she described having had unprotected sex for several months. I knew she needed a pregnancy test, pelvic exam, a Pap smear to check for cervical cancer, and special tests for various sexually trans ld low-co- proceed. Abby, please inform sexu- girk ally active teen-ag- e that they need a pelvic exam and Pap smear AT LEAST once a year. The best time to start is BEFORE having sex st e their health and the health of their partners. If teens are too embarrassed to talk to medical providers about preventing pregnancy and STDs, they are too young and immature to have sex. Med Student In Richmond, Va. Dear Med Student: I agree. Thank you for your information and insight. It's uiifurUisutle that many young adults engage in sexual relationships for which they are neither physically nor emotionally ready. They need to know it's all right to say no. A mature sexual relationship involves not only taking care of oneself, but also taking care of the partner. PJ5. You are going to be a wonderful doctor! 7b order "How to Write Letters for All Occasions," send a business-sue- Abigail Van Buren d envelope, plus check or money order for $3.95 ($4.50 in Canada) to: Dear Abby, Letter Booklet, P.O. Box 447, 1L 61054-0447- . Mount Morris, (Postage is included.) THIS JULY, WE'RE .... ' linn ' ' '''- i it ' - MORE THAN OUR COUNTRY'S HERITAGE. WE'RE CELEBRATING OUR JOIN US FOR A CELEBRATION, JULY 25TH -- JULY 28TH As our country celebrates over two centuries of American tradition, Zions Bank is celebrating 127 years of its own heritage as a local bank-n- ow ions. Because the employees of each Zions $8 billion strong. Its worthy grounds for a party. And a good reason for banking with branch who live in and care about your neighborhood have the authority to make decisions on a local level. And the money in Zions Bank your money helps fund the people Visit your local branch during the week and businesses that build our communities. of July 24th, and join us in celebrating our heritage and the primary reason for our success you. ZIONS BANK WE HAVEN'T FORGOTTEN WHO KEEPS US IN BUSINESS. Member FDIC iiiiSWSi. V v safes.- - v- .uiKK&tol1 t 60,000 Aris patients see life through young eyes LASIK $1299 each eye 80O909-393- 7 www.nrisvision.com ,iM&U7flEE 1 Carlsbad Camarillo Encino Glendale Irvine La Jolla Palo Alto San Francisco San Jose Santa Monica Utah . Cedar City ogdcn Prove Mexico City sonora Salt Lake City Massachusetts 'Boston Quincy waltham Japan Fukuoka Nagoya Osaka Tokyo Yokohama Mexico Baja Juarez California Not available with any other offer or discount. Price subject to specific treatment parameters, utter expires V v a3100. Results may vaty. |