Sexually transmitted diseases are exploding among Erie County’s young people.
County Health Commissioner Doctor Gale Burstein notes that although young people make up about 25 percent of the sexually-experienced population in the county, nearly half of new STD cases occur in persons ages 15 through 24.
The young, according to Burstein, are the most vulnerable to these infections.
"The only way a person is going to know if they're infected is to get a test," Burstein said.
The human papillomavirus, chlamydia and syphilis are found with surprising frequency among young people.
Commissioner Burstein told WBFO news that left untreated, STDs can do grievous harm to the body; syphilis can even kill.
April is STD Awareness Month.