What you don't know could kill you
Diana Cole
Section: Student Life
We're in a committed relationship. Condoms don't feel good. He/she doesn't look sick. These are just some of the many excuses people are using to justify having unprotected sex. All the while, this can lead to an increased exposure to sexually transmitted diseases.
Receiving higher education is a great opportunity. And yet, too often, college students put too much trust in the opposite sex in regards to their health, which can literally be a life or death sentence.
According to a study conducted by Health Services at Columbia University, 20-25 percent of college students across the country have either been infected with an STD, or transmitted an STD to their sexual partners in their college career. Also, two-thirds of all individuals with STDs are under the age of 25.
Additionally, according to Triangle.org, the official website for college technology organization Triangle Fraternity, STDs are the most common, prevalent college student threat.
Even protected sex is not a foolproof plan against STDs. According to Womanshealth.gov, a website dedicated to providing helpful and healthy tips to women, herpes is a disease that will stay with you for the rest of your life, going and coming back periodically. Likewise, women also contract this disease more than men, which could hinder their ability to have a natural child birth in fear of passing the disease to their baby.
So with all that being said, what precautions should a person take against STDs?
For starters, always ask your partner questions, such as whom and how many people they have been with. Likewise, knowing what your partner has experimented with sexually is equally important. As unfortunate as it is, men and women cheat, so whatever they have done in the past could be transferred to you. You should also encourage that you and your partner(s) are tested regularly to avoid possible transmission or contraction of diseases.
Overall, be smart. Know who your partner is and ask yourself "is my health worth the risk?" Obtaining a life threatening disease doesn't just affect you, but your family and friends as well.
Receiving higher education is a great opportunity. And yet, too often, college students put too much trust in the opposite sex in regards to their health, which can literally be a life or death sentence.
According to a study conducted by Health Services at Columbia University, 20-25 percent of college students across the country have either been infected with an STD, or transmitted an STD to their sexual partners in their college career. Also, two-thirds of all individuals with STDs are under the age of 25.
Additionally, according to Triangle.org, the official website for college technology organization Triangle Fraternity, STDs are the most common, prevalent college student threat.
Even protected sex is not a foolproof plan against STDs. According to Womanshealth.gov, a website dedicated to providing helpful and healthy tips to women, herpes is a disease that will stay with you for the rest of your life, going and coming back periodically. Likewise, women also contract this disease more than men, which could hinder their ability to have a natural child birth in fear of passing the disease to their baby.
So with all that being said, what precautions should a person take against STDs?
For starters, always ask your partner questions, such as whom and how many people they have been with. Likewise, knowing what your partner has experimented with sexually is equally important. As unfortunate as it is, men and women cheat, so whatever they have done in the past could be transferred to you. You should also encourage that you and your partner(s) are tested regularly to avoid possible transmission or contraction of diseases.
Overall, be smart. Know who your partner is and ask yourself "is my health worth the risk?" Obtaining a life threatening disease doesn't just affect you, but your family and friends as well.
August 30th
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elenchick
posted 2/19/10 @ 5:00 PM EST
Very useful warning. Thank you.
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