HEALTH SCREENING
& DISEASE PREVENTION

 

Physical Exams:

Check-ups with your doctor are recommended annually. Regular check-ups allow your doctor to monitor your health and catch any problems early before they cause harm. Your doctor can also help make sure you’re up-to-date on all of the recommended health screenings and immunizations for your age.

• Don’t have a doctor? Use our Searchable Directory Page to locate a doctor near you.

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Immunizations:

The following immunizations, or shots that can help prevent disease, are recommended for children and teens 11 through 18 years of age. Download the brochure and check out the links below to learn more. Talk to your parent or guardian and your doctor about which immunizations you’ve had and to find out which ones you may still need.

• Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY)

• Meningococcal vaccine (MenB)

• Tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (Tdap) vaccine

• Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine

• Influenza/flu vaccine (annually)

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Testing for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs):

If you are sexually active, you are at risk for STDs and should talk to your doctor about your risk factors and which screenings are recommended.

• Find more information and resources from the CDC about STDs impacting teens and young adults.

• Visit our Searchable Directory Page or the CDC’s Get Tested Page to locate an STD testing site near you.

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The good news is, there are lots of things you can do to help keep yourself and your partner protected. Choosing not to have sex (abstinence), doing lower risk activities, using barriers like condoms each and every time you have sex, and getting tested regularly can all help to prevent the spread of STDs (Adapted from Teen Talk, 2019).