ASU Health Services provides students with affordable STI tests as STD rates rise in the US | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

ASU Health Services provides students with affordable STI tests as STD rates rise in the US

The 2018 CDC report says three STDs are on the rise across the nation.

58
ASU Health Services provides students with affordable STI tests as STD rates rise in the US
Pixabay

Arizona State University is offering $20 Sexually transmitted infections (STI) tests with the rise of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) in the United States.

STIs are infections that are passed from one person to another during any form of sexual activity.

Several of the most common STIs have no symptoms or they have mild signs that can be easily overlooked. Therefore, the sexually transmitted bacteria or viruses may or may not result in an STD according to the American Sexual Health Association.

Combined cases of gonorrhea, chlamydia and syphilis have increased in the U.S. according to a Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance Report by the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

"Combined they total 2.4 million infections that were diagnosed and reported just in last year alone," said Elizabeth Torrone, a CDC epidemiologist who worked on the report, told CNN on Oct. 8, 2019.

According to the 2018 STD Surveillance Report, Arizona had 40,807 reported cases of chlamydia, 12,870 reported cases of gonorrhea, and 1,047 reported cases of syphilis.

Arizona's ranks compared to the rest of the states are:

  • 16th for reported chlamydia cases with a rate of 581.6 per 100,000 population
  • 19th for reported gonorrhea cases with a rate of 183.4 per 100,000 population
  • 5th for reported syphilis cases with 14.9 per 100,000 population

This means at ASU, which had a population of 73,000 students in 2018 according to ASU Now, there was an estimated total of 779.9 reported cases of gonorrhea, chlamydia, or syphilis which is approximately 2% of Arizona's total reported cases last year.

With the rise of STDs, it is important for ASU students to know what options they have to prevent and treat them.

ASU Health Services currently offers STI tests for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and even HIV on all four campuses.

Testing can be scheduled with a provider to discuss a student's questions and determine what test is best for them, but walk-ins, where the patient chooses what they can be tested for, are welcomed.

A student does not need to have insurance to be tested, seeing as each test has a fee of $20.

Women are less likely than men to have symptoms of these common STDs, therefore they are less likely to seek care, according to ASHA.

If left untreated STIs and STDs can lead to several health problems including infertility and problems during pregnancy.

The CDC recommends all sexually active women under 25 should be tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia every year. The CDC also recommends all sexually active gay and bisexual men should be tested at least once a year. But people who have multiple partners should be tested frequently.

The cause of the rise is undetermined.

Torrone told CNN it is important to remember that the number may be a result of more people getting STD screenings, but "steep and sustained increase" shows that may not be the only reason.

"Some of that increase in incidence may be due to change in sexual behaviors," Torrone told CNN.

Researchers found, in a study about the factors affecting condom use among college students in south-central Kentucky, among sexually active students approximately half do not use condoms when having sexual intercourse. The study also found approximately 95% of students engaging with oral sex do not use a condom either.

Lance Lim, a second-year nursing student and Barrett, the Honors College Senator for ASU's Undergraduate Student Government Downtown, said health services has a bowl in their waiting areas full of free condoms.

Lim also said USGD is also developing a proposal to start a free condom program.

"It's important to offer free condoms as it encourages all types of students, no matter their sexuality or gender, to practice safe sex habits," Lim said.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Adulting

18 Things I Want To Do Now That I'm 18

I'm technically an adult, so I'm legally required to live a little, right?

2088
Happy Birthday Cake

For the entirety of my high school career, I was always seen as the goody-two-shoes. I never got in trouble with a teacher, I kept stellar grades, and when I wasn't doing extracurricular activities, I was at home studying. Even when I did go out, it was usually with a bunch of fellow band geeks. The night would end before 11:00 PM and the only controversial activity would be a fight based on who unfairly won a round of Apples-to-Apples when someone else clearly had a better card (I promise I'm not still holding a grudge).

Now that I'm officially an adult, I want to pursue some new things. I want to experience life in a way that I never allowed myself to do prior to entering college. These are the years that I'm supposed to embark on a journey of self-discovery, so what better way to do that than to create a bucket list?

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics

The holiday classics that shaped my life

1261
10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics
Flickr

The holiday season is full of stress, debt, and forced conversation. While we rush through the month of December, it's important to take a step back and enjoy the moments before they're gone. Most families love to watch Christmas movies, but these beloved films provide more than entertainment. Here are 10 life lessons that I've learned from the holiday classics we watch every year.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

200488
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

21069
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments