The levels of sexually transmitted diseases (STD), among ETSU students are on the rise. According to Student Health Services, the rates are increasing at an alarming rate as a result of students having unprotected sex.
Many students, especially the undergraduates, are getting infected with STDs because they are trying to experiment with their bodies said Lisa Barnette, the Student Health Services educator.
“Many students have acquired a new set of freedom on campus as opposed to when they were with their parents back at home, and since no one is watching over them they are choosing to do whatever they want,” she said.
Some of the factors that have contributed to the current high infection rate of STDs on campus are a lack of information and awareness about the dangers of contracting STDs, socializing and interacting sexually with friends, and high alcohol consumption, Barnette said.
A lot of awareness is on going about the current STD control and she urges students to be more cautious when it comes to their sexual lives. She said students should be protective of their lives and contracting STDs, especially AIDS, are expensive to treat.
The current data on STDs infection on campus indicate that between June 30, 2004 and July 1, 2005, 154 cases of gonorrhea and chlamydia infection among students have been reported, 169 cases of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), 70 cases of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), 50 cases of genital herpes and 41 cases of syphilis. The most affected age group is between 18-24 years.
“These rates are going up and that is why students should be able to get information about different kinds of STDs and how they can avoid contracting the virus,” Barnette said. These high rates normally go up when schools are on holiday, particularly when schools close, she said.
She said the current statistics have been aggravated by the fact that a lot of students are having unprotected sex, adding that students should access more information about their sexuality so that they can be educated.
HIV/AIDS is spread through vaginal, anal and/or oral sex with someone who has HIV, by sharing needles to inject drugs or for any other reason, and/or by contact with infected blood.
The best way to prevent STD infection is by practicing abstinence or becoming monogamous. Additional protection can be achieved by using a condom, not having sex if you are drunk or high, knowing signs and symptoms of various STDs and getting a medical check up for STDs especially in the case of HIV/AIDS where you can not tell whether a person is positive or negative without going through a medical test.
If a person has an STD and does not get treated he or she can become ill, might not able to have children and can give the STD to someone else.
Barnette is speaking in preparation for the Worlds’ AIDS Day on Dec. 1. She is planning to raise more awareness about HIV/AIDS and other STD’s among students.
For more information, call Barnette at 439-4500.

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