Undetected STDs Plague Campuses

Author: Rose Boyer Staff Writer

"The number of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) treated at Parton Health Center has fallen very significantly over the last eight years," said Yonna McShane, director of Health and Wellness Education at Middlebury.

Eight years ago, the Parton Health Center was treating 77 cases of various STDs; however, now they are now down to 29 patients. McShane noted that this success in infection prevention can be attributed to a few factors. First, surveys conducted by the College show that the number of students engaging in unprotected sex is dropping significantly. Other statistics suggest a decline in binge drinking, which can lead to irresponsible sexual behavior.

Parton Health Center also deserves credit for this success because of its generous distribution of free condoms and oral dams in promotion of safer sex. Whatever the cause, McShane feels that "we're doing better, and students should be really proud of themselves." Nevertheless, she warns that despite this significant decline, STDs are still a threat to Middlebury students and college students in general, and should be taken very seriously.

The encouraging numbers provided by McShane only represent students who have detected and are presently seeking treatment for STDs. Many of the conditions that are most commonly found on college campuses, such as auto-immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), chlamydia, herpes and the human papilloma virus (HPV), often go undetected and unreported for considerable amounts of time because of their asymptomatic nature. HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, for example, which recent studies claim has infected one in every 500 college students, can be present for many years with no symptoms. The disease, which suppresses the body's immune system, is most often spread through the exchange of semen, vaginal secretions and blood that can occur during sexual behavior.

Chlamydia, which is caused by parasitic microorganisms and can be cured with appropriate medication, is one of the most common STDs treated at Middlebury. The disease sometimes shows symptoms, but often does not. As a result, infected students who do not realize that they are carriers can unknowingly spread the disease. It is also possible for women with asymptomatic chlamydia to develop pelvic inflammatory disease, which can result in sterility if not treated in time.

Human papilloma virus, also called genital warts, is another STD that often goes undetected and unreported. This incurable condition, which is linked to an increased risk of cervical cancer in women and penile cancer in men, often has only flu-like symptoms, which often allow it to go unnoticed.

Another frightening fact about HPV is that condoms are not always effective in preventing its transmission. HPV is spread through skin-to-skin contact, so if an infected area is not covered by a condom or latex barrier, it is possible for transmission to take place.

Herpes is a more noticeable STD, as it causes multiple blisters to develop on the genitals. These blisters, however, misleadingly heal after about 12 days, while the infection and potential for transmission still exists.

Gonorrhea, like chlamydia, only less common among college-aged students, is an STD that can have very subtle symptoms and can be difficult to detect.

In order for a student to be certain that they are not infected with one of the less symptomatic STDs that frequent college campuses, they must be tested. Testing for STDs at the Health Center is free, and it is actually quite a painless procedure. The tests for chlamydia and gonorrhea, which used to be dreaded processes for men, can now be done with only a urine sample. A full sexual exam demands only a 45-minute visit and all test results are strictly confidential.

Students who are not sure of their sexual health are strongly encouraged to make an appointment with Parton Health Center for the sake of both themselves and any possible future partners.