Teenagers think it will never happen to them but each year, the number of teens contracting sexually transmitted diseases grows.

Texoma is no exception. Health officials say teen STD numbers tend to increase locally during school vacations.

"Our kids will tell us they all know somebody or most of them know somebody by the time they graduate high school their friends who caught a STD," says Royal.

Jerry Royal works with about 300 teens each weeks. The student pastor at First Baptist Church says many think the only way to contract an STD's is through intercourse. But health officials say that's not true. 

"You can get STD's in your eyes, in your throat, you can pass warts simply be having a wart on your finger or hand and touching somebody in their private area. That will pass warts on," says Moore.

The most common STD's among Wichita Falls teens are Gonorrhea and Chlamydia. The Wichita Falls- Wichita County Health District tested 27 positives of those two diseases last month alone.

The department's STD charge nurse, Kristy Moore, says many sexually transmitted diseases are symptomless but if you do notice anything irregular on yourself or your partner get checked out as soon as possible.

"The longer you keep it the worse effects it'll have on your body and reproductive organs," said Moore.

Some STD's can even cause sterility if not treated. Medications can help treat and get rid of some STD's... But most diseases, like Herpes and v, cannot be cured...Only treated for symptoms.

"They don't understand they think they're here in the moment. Oh, we can get an antibiotic and we'll be fine but it can cause really bad problems in the future," says Moore.

Aside from long-term health consequences, many teens don't think about how unsafe sex could affect future relationships.

"Things done in private will eventually have to be made public. Especially in the day of STD's. You're going to have to tell your future spouse one day what's going on."

Both Moore and Royal want to remind teens unsafe sex is something that will stay with you forever.

"It's a lifetime thing just for ten minutes of fun with someone you probably aren't going to speak to when you're 30 or 40 years old."

Health officials say abstinance is the best defence against STD's. But urge teens who are sexually active to always use a condom and make sure their partner has been tested.

Parents--if you need any information on what symptoms your teens need to look out for, or how to get tested call the Wichita Falls-Wichita County Health District at 940-761-7800. Cases are confidential and counceling is available.