Sexually transmitted diseases have always been an embarrassing topic for most people to talk about, including teenagers.

(The above photo of, um, embarassed teenagers provided by the Guardian.)

But with the virtual world’s reliance on privacy and with medical education and therapy picking up steam virtually, a solution to this discomfort has arrived.

Health authorities in Spain launched an SL portal through which teenagers can talk anonymously to health practitioners about STDs or about conflicts regarding drugs.

The portal is called isla de salud (health island) and is a collaborative venture between Spanish Society for Family and Community Medicine (FYC) and the Coalition for Citizens with Chronic Illnesses.

“Teenagers do not often go to see the doctor but this is an efficient and amusing tool to reach them because we can both use the same route,” said Dr Rosario Jimènez, of the Adolescent Attention Working Group. “Even though they do not often suffer serious illnesses, they often expose themselves to risks which can develop into problems in the future.

“This is a way to talk about their doubts about taking drugs or sexual relations which they cannot do in a traditional consultation.”