Racy Stacy: STD is the new black
In today’s modern medical world, you would think the spread of sexually transmitted diseases would be declining. However, it is the exact opposite. The current generations have begun to eliminate the taboo mentality in regards to sex, but the freedom of sexuality does not mean that we can be free of safety. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) “estimates 20 million new infections (of STDs) occur every year in the United States” — that number is only increasing.
STDs can be both diseases and/or infections that are contracted through a variety of sexual encounters — yes folks, not just sex. According to the CDC, “one in four college students will contract an STD while in school” and women tend to be the greatest affected. Men show fewer symptoms than women, but many infections don’t show any symptoms at all.
One RWU senior told me about her STD incident freshman year. “I ended up having it, but at least it was just chlamydia. All I had to do was pop a pill and it was gone.” She went on to explain, “my doctor said it’s like a yeast infection on steroids.”
If you are having sex, you and your partner can lower the risk of an STD by using condoms and getting tested regularly. Most importantly, don’t be afraid to talk to someone and stay informed.
For many infections, all it takes to get rid of them are a few days of antibiotics, so don’t be afraid to reach out for help. Here at RWU, you can seek information from Health Services as well as the Health and Wellness Educators (HAWEs).
