Medical Care and Your 13- to 18-Year-Old

By meeting yearly with your teen, their doctor can keep track of changes in physical, mental, and social development and offer advice about avoiding unhealthy behaviors, such as smoking and drinking.

The doctor also can help your teen understand the importance of choosing a healthy lifestyle that includes good nutrition, proper exercise, and safety measures.

The more that teens understand about their physical growth and sexual development, the more they will recognize the importance of active involvement in their own health care.

What to Expect at the Doctor's Office

Teens should visit their doctors annually. Those with a chronic medical condition or some types of clinical signs or symptoms might need more frequent visits.

Medical care will include screening for high blood pressure, obesity, eating disorders, and if indicated, hyperlipidemia (an excess of cholesterol and/or other fats in the blood). A test for tuberculosis may be done if a teen is at risk for getting infected.

Vision and hearing will be checked. Teens are also checked for scoliosis (curved spine).

As teens go through puberty, issues of sexual health will be addressed. Girls may be referred to a gynecologist for a first visit. Boys will be checked for hernias and testicular cancer and taught how to do a testicular self-exam.

Teens will be asked about behaviors or emotional problems that may indicate depression or the risk of suicide. The doctor also will ask questions and provide counseling about risky behaviors and other issues, including:

• sexual activities that may result in unintended pregnancy and STDs
• use of alcohol and other substances, including anabolic steroids
• use of tobacco products, including vaping, cigarettes and smokeless tobacco
• drinking and driving
• the importance of using bicycle helmets, seatbelts, and protective sports gear
• how to resolve conflicts without violence, including how to avoid the use of weapons
• learning problems or difficulties at school
• importance of regular physical activity

Vaccines

By age 13, teens should have already had these vaccines:

• chickenpox (varicella) vaccine (if they haven't had chickenpox)
• measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine
• hepatitis B (HBV) vaccine series
• hepatitis A (HAV) vaccine series
• meningococcal vaccine
• human papillomavirus HPV) vaccine
• polio vaccine (IPV)
• diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine. Doctors recommend a Tdap booster at 11–12 years of age, with a tetanus and diphtheria booster (Td) every 10 years after that. The Tdap vaccine is also recommended for all pregnant women during the second half of each pregnancy, regardless of whether they've had it before, or when it was last given. 

The flu vaccine, given before flu season each year, also is recommended, as is an updated COVID-19 vaccine. 

Pregnant teens should get the RSV vaccine in their third trimester.

In areas where dengue is common (such as Puerto Rico, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands), the dengue vaccine is given to kids and teens 9–16 years old who have already had dengue fever.

Common Medical Problems

Sports injuries and other problems, such as knee pain and headaches, are common concerns. Your teen's doctor should evaluate any pain that is severe or long-lasting.

Issues involving puberty and sexual development are typical concerns for teens. Doctors can be a valuable resource by answering questions and giving guidance during this period of physical and emotional changes. Teens should be reassured that anything they discuss with their doctor will be kept confidential, unless their health or the health of others could possibly be in danger.

If You Have Concerns

Parents or other caregivers should receive health guidance from their teen's doctor during these routine checkups. The doctor will share information about normal development, including signs and symptoms of illness or emotional distress and ways to watch for and manage potentially harmful behaviors.

If you think that your teen has a physical or psychological problem, or has a problem with drugs or alcohol, contact the doctor.