The American Academy of Pediatrics has similar recommendations.

Douglas said screening tests are underused in part because many teens don’t think they’re at risk, but also, some doctors mistakenly think, ’“Sexually transmitted diseases don’t happen to the kinds of patients I see.”’

Blythe said some doctors also are reluctant to discuss STDs with teen patients or offer screening because of confidentiality concerns, knowing parents would have to be told of the results.

The American Academy of Pediatrics supports confidential teen screening, she said.

Betty Cochrum, president of Planned Parenthood of Indiana, explained that the recent rise in STDs is no surprise. “ A recent CDC report issued in December said that the teen birth rate is up for the first time since 1991 and so it’s no surprise that the CDC is now issuing a report that more than 3 million teen girls have an STI [sexually transmitted infection].”

Sexual activity in teens may not be producing noteworthy STD statistics but Cochrum says teens are suffering from the consequences of unprotected sex. “Here in indiana, we have 31 teenagers getting pregnant each and every day.”

In order to prevent the spread of HPV, Planned Parenthood is offering a vaccine called Gardisil. “We are now offering it at 9 of our 35 locations across the state.” For those living in Madison County, the nearest location is at the Planned Parenthood center in Castleton. The organization is urging all sexually active adults and teens to be vaccinated regardless of cost. “There is a three shot series and it is expensive but we have a women’s health fund that can help cover that cost and there are two other sources of assistance we could use. My message would be ‘please, please come in. We’re pretty confident that we can meet the need and deal with financial challenges,” Cochrum said.

Staff Reporter Brandi Watters contributed to this report.