According to a 2021 report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 1 in 5 people lived with a sexually transmitted infection on any given day in 2018 — and about half of them were between the ages of 15 and 24.
STIs come in various forms, including bacterial infections, viruses, fungi and parasites. They are primarily contracted through sexual interactions, and many present little to no side effects.
Although some STIs have serious consequences on physical health, medicine can often treat them.
Dr. Robert Woodward, medical director of McKinley Health Center, believes many people hold misconceptions about getting an STI.
“Most (people) feel that they are invincible and that they will never get one and choose not to protect themselves,” Woodward said.
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According to Woodward, STIs are preventable through using barrier protection, such as condoms. Other strategies before sex can also prevent STI transmission.
“Don’t make quick decisions when you are drinking alcohol or under another influence,” Woodward said. “Get to know your partner for a while before engaging in sex, have the partner get tested and have them show proof before intercourse.”
Some groups are more vulnerable to experiencing STIs. According to the CDC, “Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM) are disproportionately impacted by STIs … In 2023, 32.4% of all cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea and P&S syphilis were among non-Hispanic Black or African American persons, even though they made up only 12.6% of the U.S. population.”
However, people of any gender and sexuality can contract STIs.
“People that have sex with multiple partners, and people who do not use barrier protection are more likely to contract STIs,” Woodward said.
The University offers barrier protection and STI testing resources to students in need. They can acquire barrier contraception, lubricants, pregnancy tests and yeast infection medication for free from McKinley Self-Care Stations located around campus.
McKinley also offers STI testing to students through its laboratory. Tests for common STIs like chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV and syphilis are available.
