Treatment of infections in young people can differ from that recommended in adults. This guideline details treatment options. Treatment regimens presented are primarily those recommended by The BASHH National Guideline on the Management of Sexually Transmitted Infections and Related Conditions in Children and Young People (2021).

As far as possible, medicines should be prescribed within the terms of the marketing authorisation. However, many young people may require medicines not specifically licensed for non-adult use, and this may increase the prescriber’s professional responsibility and potential liability. The prescriber should be able to justify and be competent in using such medicines.

Scope and additional guidance

This guidance should also be read in conjunction with the West of Scotland Guideline ‘Young People who are Sexually Active’, which includes guidance on safeguarding, consent and confidentiality, and the relevant West of Scotland guideline for the condition in question.

This guideline has been restricted to young people age 13 and over since children under 13 would rarely if ever be seen within a sexual health service.

STI risk factors in children and young people

The risk of a young person acquiring a sexually transmitted infection (STI) is dependent on several factors, including:

• Prevalence of STIs within the local population.
• Type of sexual activity, e.g., penile-vaginal or penile-rectal penetration is more likely to lead to infection than other types of sexual activity.
• Injuries of the genital tract, e.g., trauma increases the susceptibility to infection.
• Sexual maturity of the young person. A young person has an increased biological susceptibility to carcinogens and STIs due to physical and immunological immaturity of the genital tract.
• Absence of barrier contraception.
• Age at first intercourse and previous sexual activity, as these may lead to a longer period of exposure to transmissible agents and an increased number of partners.
• Co-existence of other risk behaviours such as drugs or alcohol misuse.