By Temika Bobbitt and Curtis Henderson
Photo Editor and Staff Writer

While in college many students experiment. Some students dab into drugs and alcohol, while others have a tendency to try various sexual activities. A sexual relationship can create a risk of sexually transmitted diseases and viruses. There are 25 different types of STDs. The rate of infection for college students is estimated at 2 in 1000 for HIV.

As of Nov. 8, 2004 at UNCP, 1 out of every 5 students test positive for STDs, according to UNCP Registered Nurse and Nurse Educator Lori Wiggins. STDs are spread through vaginal, oral and anal sex.

If an STD is left untreated it can cause serious problems such as infertility in both men and women, transmission to a newborn, cervical cancer, increased risk of other STDs and HIV, and it can also become fatal.

Due to the cost of testing, when getting tested at student health services doctors only test for gonorrhea and Chlamydia unless you are exhibiting symptoms of other STDs. Chlamydia is the most common diagnosed STD at UNCP, according to Wiggins. Chlamydia is known for being the “silent STD” without causing symptoms.

Student Health Services and Robeson County Health Department hold free HIV/syphilis testing every other Wednesday at the school. Wiggins says statistics show that in the 2004 school year only 91 out of the 5,015 students at UNCP have been tested for HIV, all testing negative.

On an average more females get tested than males.

When a condom is used it is 98 percent effective and with a spermicidal 99.8 percent effective in reducing STDs. However, many students come up with excuses on why not to use a condom.

“Coitus Interruptus,” the technical term for “pulling out” has a 19 percent chance of pregnancy. When the penis is erect it has a little bit of pre-ejaculation fluid that may contain sperm, as well as bacteria and virus that cause STDs.

Do not be too embarrassed to purchase condoms at the store. If you are too uncomfortable to protect yourself, then maybe you should reconsider how ready you are to have a sexual relationship. Rather than deciding not to use a condom at all, student health services provides free condoms.

Birth control only helps to control pregnancy. Nowhere does it say birth control prevents the spread of STDs.

The excuse of condoms being uncomfortable is common. If one really experiences an annoying feeling, make sure the condom is put on correctly or try a different size; the more you use them the more comfortable they will be.

Although some students get tested for STD and HIV, others do not. For health and safety concerns, having protected sex can save your life. Wiggins suggests getting tested at least once a year, but more often when involved with multiple partners or suspicion of a disease.