Sure, you’re young, healthy, and carefree, right? Turns out, now is the time you should learn healthy living habits. Because many of the behaviors that cause serious diseases later in life are established at a young age. So, prevention begins now!

What can I do now to keep myself healthy?   (FamilyDoctor.org)

• Avoid using any type of tobacco product. Try not to breathe second hand cigarette smoke.
• Get regular exercise.
• Eat a healthy diet.
• Always use your seat belt.
• Don't drink and drive. Don't get into a car with a driver who has been drinking alcohol or using drugs.
• Wear protective headgear, such as motorcycle or bike helmets, when participating in sports.
• Never swim alone.
• Talk to your parents or your doctor if you're feeling really sad or if you're thinking about harming yourself.
• Avoid situations where violence or fighting may cause you to be physically injured.
• If you have sex, use condoms to avoid pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. (Of course, the "safest" sex is no sex.)
• See your doctor regularly.

What might my doctor do?
The doctor might do any of the following to help you stay healthy:

• Determine your risk for certain health problems.
• Measure your height, weight, cholesterol levels and blood pressure.
• Order tests to check your general health or to find certain diseases.
• Provide immunizations ("shots" or "vaccines") to reduce your risk of getting diseases such as mumps, tetanus and hepatitis.

A note about vaccines
Sometimes the amount of a certain vaccine cannot keep up with the number of people who need it. More info...

At my age, what should I especially be concerned about?
Car accidents, unintentional physical injury, homicide and suicide are the top killers of teenagers and young adults. Cancer and heart disease can also affect you at this age. Unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (including HIV and AIDS) can cause you social and personal problems, in addition to harming your health.

Do young men have different health risks than young women?
Yes. Young men don't wear seat belts as often as young women do. They're also more likely to carry weapons, to get into physical fights, to use smokeless tobacco or marijuana, to drink alcohol heavily, and to have more sexual partners. On the other hand, young women have some special risks. They try to commit suicide more often and they try to lose weight in harmful ways more often than young men.

Should I talk to my doctor if I'm worried about my health or my body?
Yes. It's important to talk to your doctor if you have any concerns about your health or your body. Your doctor is there to help you.

Will the habits I have now really make a difference when I'm older?
Yes, 65% of all deaths in adults are caused by heart disease, cancer and stroke. In many cases, these diseases were preventable. Many of the behaviors that cause these diseases begin at a young age. For example, if you use tobacco as a teenager, you're more likely to get heart disease, cancer or stroke when you're an adult.

Source
Written by familydoctor.org editorial staff.
Implementing the Guidelines for Adolescent Preventive Services
by NJ Montalto (American Family Physician May 1, 1998,
Reviewed/Updated: 11/06
Created: 05/98

http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/children/teens/prevention/285.printerview.html  

Why Should I Care About Germs? (TeensHealth)
You may think germs are something you don't have to worry about — only the people selling toilet cleaners on TV are concerned with germs. But germs are tiny organisms that can cause disease — and they're so small that they can creep into your system without you noticing. You even need a microscope to see them.

To stay healthy, it helps to give some thought to germs.

Germs Basics
The term germs is really just a generic word for four different types of organisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa.

Bacteria (pronounced: bak-tir-ee-uh)
are tiny, single-celled organisms that are found throughout nature, including in the bodies of human beings. A certain number of bacteria are good for our bodies — they help keep the digestive system in working order and keep harmful bacteria from moving in. Some bacteria are even used to produce medicines and vaccines. But bacteria can cause trouble, too — ever had a cavity, urinary tract infection, or strep throat? These infections are all caused by bacteria.

Viruses (pronounced: vye-rus-iz)
are even smaller than bacteria and can't live on their own. In order to survive, grow, and reproduce, they need to be inside other living organisms. Most viruses can only live for a very short time outside other living cells. For example, they can stay on surfaces like a countertop or toilet seat in infected bodily fluids for a short period of time, but they quickly die
there unless a live host comes along. But some viruses, such as the kind that cause hepatitis (an infection of the liver), can survive on surfaces for a week or longer and still be able to cause infections.

Once they've moved into your body, viruses spread easily and can make you quite sick. Viruses are responsible for not-so-serious diseases like colds as well as extremely serious diseases like smallpox.

Fungi (pronounced: fun-jye)
are multi-celled, plant-like organisms that usually aren't dangerous in a healthy person. Fungi can't produce their own food from soil, water, and air, so instead, they get nutrition from plants, food, and animals in damp, warm environments. Two common fungal infections include athlete's foot and yeast infections. People who have weakened immune systems (from diseases like AIDS or cancer) may develop more serious fungal infections.

Protozoa (pronounced: pro-toe-zo-uh)
are one-celled organisms like bacteria. Protozoa love moisture, so intestinal infections and other diseases they cause are often spread through contaminated water.

Once organisms like bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa invade your body, they get ready to stay for a while. These germs draw all their energy from you! They may damage or destroy your own healthy cells. As they use up your nutrients and energy, most will produce waste products, known as toxins.

Some toxins cause the annoying symptoms of common colds or flu-like infections, such as sniffles, increased heart rate, and even life-threatening illness.

If you're not feeling well and visit your doctor, he or she may examine your blood and other fluids under a microscope or perform cultures to determine which germs (if any) are making you sick.

How Can I Protect Myself From Germs?
The best way to prevent the infections that germs cause is by protecting yourself.

Because most germs are spread through the air in sneezes or coughs or through bodily fluids like sweat, saliva, semen, vaginal fluid, or blood, your best bet is to limit contact with those substances.

Washing your hands often is absolutely the best way to stop germs from getting into your body. When should you wash? After using the bathroom, after blowing your nose or coughing, after touching any pets or animals, after gardening, or before and after visiting a sick relative or friend.

And of course you should wash your hands before eating or cooking. There's a right way to wash hands, too — you need to soap up well using warm water and plenty of soap, then rub your hands vigorously together for 15 seconds (away from the water). Rinse your hands and finish by drying them thoroughly on a clean towel.

If you spend any time in the kitchen, you'll have many opportunities to get rid of germs. Be sure to use proper food-handling techniques, like using separate cutting boards, utensils, and towels for preparing uncooked meat and poultry.

Another way to fight infections from germs is to make sure you have the right immunizations, especially if you'll be traveling to countries outside the United States. Other yearly immunizations, such as the flu vaccine, may be a particularly good idea if you have a weakened immune system or other chronic medical problems.

With a little prevention, you can keep harmful germs out of your way!
Reviewed by: Elana Pearl Ben-Joseph, MD
Date reviewed: November 2007
http://kidshealth.org/teen/flu_center/prevention/care_about_germs.html

What if I Get Swine Flu? (TeensHealth)
You've probably been wondering what you should do if you get H1N1 influenza (aka "swine flu"). The good news is that H1N1 flu isn't really that different from normal seasonal flu. Although experts were concerned that H1N1 might mutate into a stronger strain of flu, so far that hasn't happened.
Because H1N1 flu is similar to regular flu, it's usually treated at home in pretty much the same way.

Here's what to do if you get flu symptoms, like a fever, runny nose, or coughing:

• Start by calling your doctor. Your doctor can assess your situation and in some cases may give you antiviral medications to lessen your symptoms and shorten the time you'll be sick.
• Stay home from school (or work and other activities). Taking it easy at home can help you recover faster. It also prevents the flu from spreading to other people. That's why doctors recommend that people with flu symptoms stay home until at least 24 hours after their fever has gone away on its own (without the help of fever-reducing medications). Of course, if you still don't feel better even after your fever is gone, you'll want to rest up until you do.
• Drink lots of fluids. People with flu can get dehydrated — especially if they are throwing up or have diarrhea. So you need to keep your body stocked up on fluids. The best thing to drink is plain old water. But when you're sick, it's OK to ignore the rule about not having too many sugary drinks, like juice or sports drinks. Your main goal right now is to stay hydrated.
• Limit caffeine. The only drinks that aren't ideal are those that contain caffeine, such as soda, coffee, or energy drinks. Caffeine makes people pee more. It's not clear if this causes people to get dehydrated, but why take a chance? Don't rely on caffeinated drinks as your main source of liquids.
• Get lots of sleep. Sleep and rest can keep your immune system working at its best.
• Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen to relieve fever and aches — but avoid aspirin. Aspirin puts teens at greater risk of developing a rare but serious illness called Reye syndrome. Over-the-counter (OTC) cold or cough medicine may relieve some flu symptoms, and medicines for upset stomach can help with things like diarrhea. But check the label before taking any of these. Aspirin can show up in some surprising places.
• Wear layers. You might be cold one minute and hot the next. Wearing several layers makes it easy to add or remove clothes as needed.
• Protect others. Wash your hands frequently, avoid sharing cups or eating utensils, cough or sneeze into your elbow (not your hands), and throw used tissues in the garbage. You don't want to spread the flu to everyone else, if you can help it. Hand sanitizer works well as a backup to hand washing if you don't have access to soap and water.

Most people who get H1N1 flu will get better on their own within a week or so. But if you have a high temperature for more than a few days, if you have any trouble breathing, or if you seem to get better but then feel worse again, call your doctor right away.

Reviewed by: Kate M. Cronan, MD
Date reviewed: September 2009