In Good Health

As the fall 2007 semester approaches, many of you are preparing to leave home for the first time. Suddenly, there are no more curfews and no one to answer to. You can finally start enjoying your time out instead of spending half the night trying to come up with a good cover story. However, in the excitement of all this newfound freedom, it is easy to forget that we are still responsible for our actions. When we don't take the necessary precautions, the consequences of these actions can be severe, even fatal.
We have been hearing about sexually transmitted diseases and infections since high school health class, yet it seems that safe sex practices are not as common as they should be. Many surveys have found that college students are fairly knowledgeable about the risks of sexual intercourse. However, with so much information available, statistics are still alarmingly high. A study done by a nonprofit student advocacy organization found that 56% of college students were sexually active. Nearly a fourth of these students had been diagnosed with an STD/STI. With abstinence-only teaching becoming a thing of the past, it is more important than ever for people to be educated about the dangers of not using protection.
The term "sexually transmitted infection" is now being used instead of disease. While they are interchangeable, "disease" is something that has obvious symptoms, while infection refers to every germ, even those that may be present in the body but have no symptoms. There are about 25 known STIs, the most common among college students being Chlamydia, HPV, and genital herpes. It is important to understand that testing is the only way to be certain that you do not have one.
Gonorrhea is an STI which has mild symptoms, if any. These may include pain while urinating or abnormal discharge, and may appear within a week of contracting the infection. It can be completely cured. Chlamydia is one of the most prevalent STIs, and usually has no symptoms. However, if it does, it can often be mistaken for a bladder infection. The long term affects of Chlamydia are skin lesions and damage to the eyes. Women may develop pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Chlamydia can also be cured.
Genital herpes, however, cannot. Outbreaks can be managed with medication. The symptoms include a burning discomfort, small sores or blisters around the genital areas, headaches and fever. Herpes can be transmitted even between outbreaks when there are no symptoms.
HPV or Human Papillomavirus is an infection that can be contracted by both men and women. It can cause genital warts which, when left untreated, may become large and painful. Women may develop cervical cancer if not treated for HPV, but a pap smear can almost always detect early formation. Symptoms of cervical cancer will include pain during intercourse and abnormal discharge.
Syphilis is treatable but very dangerous because its early symptoms are painless and eventually disappear. Within a month of contracting syphilis, a sore will appear for a few weeks then clear up on its own. In the next six weeks or so, a brown rash will develop anywhere on the body, but especially on the hands and feet. At this point, the infection can be spread simply through contact with the broken skin of an infected person. The rash will fade but may appear again within the next year. During the next stage, an infected person will have no symptoms. One third of those who have continued this long without treatment will then develop tertiary syphilis. In this stage, the bacteria will begin to affect the bones, joints, nervous system, heart and any other organs. This can lead to blindness, heart disease and death.
Protection against STIs is essential. Condoms are the most effective in preventing the transfer of an STI. However, accidents happen. Despite our best efforts, protection may sometimes fail; in the heat of the moment, it may even be forgotten. If you are concerned that you may have contracted an STI, the student health center offers testing for gonorrhea, Chlamydia, syphilis, and HIV. The test costs $10 and is run through the Mobile county Health Department. Results will be returned in 14-21 days. If you are especially concerned, the results can also be run through the health center lab, and determined in three days. Women can arrange to have a pap smear done at the health center as well. Doctors recommend having one performed within three years of becoming sexually active, but the sooner the better.
If you are concerned about your partner's health or your own, be honest and don't be afraid to ask questions. College is stressful enough without any extra worries.