It is fair to say that Hamilton has a very prevalent hook-up culture. Just wander over to a Bundy or Annex party on a Friday night, and you will gain a better understanding of the hook-up culture at Hamilton. While hooking up can be a lot of fun, it can also be dangerous. 20-25% of college students have either transmitted or been infected by an STD, according to the UNH Health Services. Some of the most common STDS include: HPV, Chlamydia, and Gonorrhea. Let’s take a closer look at some of these STDs.
HPV can cause genital warts; however, HPV does not always cause visible symptoms. Because HPV can increase women’s risk of developing cervical cancer, it is crucial that women get tested regularly in order to ensure they stay safe and healthy. Since HPV is a virus, you cannot eliminate the virus once you have been infected.
Chlamydia is the most prevalent STD in the U.S., and about one in five college students are infected with Chlamydia. It can cause abnormal genital discharge and burning with urination. For women, lack of treatment of Chlamydia can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease. Because Chlamydia is a bacterium, it can be treated with antibiotics. However, 60 – 80% of women who have Chlamydia exhibit not visible symptoms. Again, it is very important to get tested since you may not know if you have Chlamydia. Gonorrhea causes similar symptoms to those of Chlamydia, and also can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease for women. Because Gonorrhea is also a bacterium, it can be treated with antibiotics.
STDs are also much more easily prevented than treated. How do you avoid them? Be sure to always use a condom or some other form of contraception. Even if you are in a committed relationship, you should continue to use a condom. You and your partner should both continue to learn about STDs and openly discuss getting tested in order to ensure the health and safety of you and your partner.
The Health Center offers a variety of services concerning sexual health; these include contraceptive counseling, testing, and treatment of STDs. There is no fee for services, besides lab tests and prescription medications. Do not hesitate to use the staff of the Health Center as a resource for any other questions you may have about STDS. They have several brochures with all of the information you need.
If you do not feel comfortable being tested on campus, there is a Planned Parenthood in Utica, located at 1424 Genesee Street, Utica, NY 13502. Planned Parenthood provides emergency contraception (morning-after pill), HIV testing, birth control, STD testing, treatment, and other crucial services. See the link below to their webpage for hours and complete services. Just remember to stay safe, have fun, and communicate with your sexual partners about these issues!