Sexually Transmitted Diseases.
Three words that college students tend to avoid and push to the back of their mind. And when the body shows little to no symptoms of the diseases, it is easy for people to ignore.
By the age of 25, most adults have acquired at least one STI. College-aged students are most at risk for gonorrhea and chlamydia, especially if they are having unprotected sex or sex with multiple partners. Fortunately, those two are easily treated and easily detected. Unfortunately, both post little to no symptoms meaning college students can easily pass them on without even knowing.
For anyone worried or concerned about their sexual health, next week the Student Health Center starts free STD/STI testing. April is STD awareness month and for the entire month of April, students can go in and receive testing for all STDs or STIs including Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, HIV and Syphilis.
The State of Kansas offers free treatment for treatable STD/STIs so students do not have to worry about the financial responsibility of treatment. This is available at all times, not just April.
To learn more about how to prevent, testing for, or treatment for STDs you can visit the GYT (“Get Yourself Tested”) site.
For TMN, I am Jordan Hester.