An estimated one in four teenage girls has at least one sexually transmitted disease (STD), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

At first glance, this statistic scares us, as it should.

We sat through health classes and saw the sickening pictures of what STDs like herpes and gonorrhea look like. We have heard the sad stories of people living with HIV and AIDS.

But after our initial shock, we began to question what really constitutes one in four. The term “teenage” in itself could mean girls from the ages of 13 to 19, which includes a large difference in maturity from one end of the spectrum to the other.

We also wanted to know what diseases the CDC was testing for exactly. Although all STDs should be taken seriously, HIV/AIDS is much more threatening than Chlamydia.

We are curious as to how many teenage boys are infected, too. Let’s face it, the boys work into that “one in four” statistic somewhere, so the CDC should also test and release that same information. We are almost certain that the numbers would be just as shocking.

The CDC should release more information about their study instead of just a vague, single-line statistic so that people, especially those supposedly affected, can have a better understanding about the situation we as a society face.

We do not want to lecture or preach about either abstinence or other birth control practices. We just want young people to be responsible about their sexual health as they would be with their overall health.

Take the CDC’s statistic as a reminder to be smart, safe and responsible.