Myth-busting about getting tested for STIs
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    You know they’re out there. You know the symptoms. You know the consequences. But when it comes right down to it, you probably don’t know if you have one.

    I’m talking, of course, about sexually transmitted infections.

    Most college students think that once the condom is on, their job is done. Not so fast! While wrapping it every time (for oral sex too!) is a great preventative measure, it’s not the last step in protecting your sexual health.

    When I asked some of my sexually active friends if they’d ever been tested for STIs, most of them stared at me blankly. Even though half of all new HIV infections occur in people age 25 or younger, it appears that getting tested is not a popular phenomenon among the nation’s most at-risk.

    Some of my friends gave me the run-down of their and their partner’s sexual history as proof of a clean bill of health. This kind of sexual inventory is totally ludicrous. Unless both you and your partner were virgins and have always been in a true-blue monogamous relationship, going on what your partner tells you about their sexual history is not the best way to protect yourself. Even if they are perfectly honest about their past, there’s no guarantee that the people they’ve been with were as truthful.

    The bottom line is this: If you aren’t sure of the status of your own sexual health, how can you expect your partner to know theirs?

    There’s an easy solution to clear up any doubt — just get tested. The medical standard is that if you’ve had three or more sexual partners in a year, you are a good candidate to get everything checked out. But I would advocate testing for anyone who’s been sexually active.

    Taking good care of your sexual health can be nerve-wracking and confusing. Here’s a quick run-down of what do:

  • Everyone who’s sexually active should see their doc at least once a year and have them check out the equipment. For girls, this means the much-dreaded pap smear (which, contrary to popular belief, does not test for STIs). For guys, it’s the old “turn your head and cough.” These visits are awkward, yes, but they’re still better than finding out that you’ve given the clap to a dozen people.
  • Remember that most doctors will not order STI testing unless you request it. Once you bring it up, they can give you more information about what tests they think you should get. A standard run-down can include HIV, chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhea, genital herpes, and Human papillomavirus (which is a common virus that is usually cleared by the body within a few months, but can sometimes cause cervical cancer in women and genital warts in both men and women).
  • If you are diagnosed with an STI, discuss treatment with your doctor. Most can be cleared up with a quick dose of penicillin, while others (such as HIV and herpes) are life-long diseases.
  • Many college students don’t get tested because they don’t have health insurance. If money’s an issue, Northwestern’s Health Services at Searle Hall offers free anonymous HIV testing five times a quarter (for this quarter, the remaining dates are Nov. 13, Nov. 27, and Dec. 11). The laboratory also takes walk-ins from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for other tests, which are significantly cheaper than most places in the Chicagoland area. You can also make an appointment for routine check-ups.
  • If you’re on your parent’s health insurance, but you’re worried about your parents getting a letter that says “Little Susie tested positive for Chlamydia,” call your insurance company and ask what their policy is. You can always go to Planned Parenthood, which is sometimes costly but totally anonymous.
  • It’s a hassle, but getting tested is the responsible thing to do. Your partner might be a little freaked out if you announce that your next date is going to involve rubber gloves and needles, but just assure them that safety is always sexy.

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