Pupil Well being Companies (SHS) provides STI testing year-round to college students who’ve paid the wellness payment. However through the month of April, SHS is waiving the wellness payment for screening checks in honor of STI Consciousness Month.
Who ought to get examined?
“One in 5 individuals has an STI within the U.S.,” mentioned Janet Reid, a nurse practitioner at SHS. “If an individual is sexually lively, they need to get examined for STIs.”
SHS provides STI testing for gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, and HIV. In keeping with the CDC's 2021 STI tips, everybody between the ages of 16 and 65 needs to be examined for HIV not less than as soon as. Sexually lively cisgender girls ages 25 and youthful needs to be examined not less than annually for gonorrhea and chlamydia; All sexually lively cisgender girls age 26 and older ought to get examined if they’ve new or a number of companions.
All homosexual, bisexual, gender-fluid males, and different sexually lively males who’ve intercourse with males needs to be examined not less than annually for syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and HIV; those that have a number of or nameless companions ought to check extra continuously (each three to 6 months). Anybody who engages in sexual behaviors that put them in danger for infections or shares drug injection tools ought to get examined for HIV not less than annually.
How do I make an appointment?
Log in to the UD Well being Portal, click on “Schedule an Appointment,” select “Sexual and Reproductive Well being Companies,” and click on “STI Screening” to decide on a date and time that works for you, or name to SHS at 302-831-2226, Possibility 2.
The place do I am going to get examined?
All STI testing is by appointment at SHS in Laurel Corridor at 282 The Inexperienced.
When ought to I get examined?
Free month-long trials might be provided Monday via Friday, eight:45 a.m. to five p.m., beginning Monday, April 1. For college students searching for testing for any incidents that will happen over spring break, Reid warns two-day check and a one-week ready interval could produce extra correct outcomes, however don't wait if in case you have signs.
“For syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia testing, the very best time to get accuracy within the testing we do right here at UD is 2 weeks after an encounter,” Reid mentioned. “However we’d by no means need somebody who has signs or somebody who’s advised they’ve been uncovered to an STI to attend two weeks. They need to be thought-about as a earlier appointment.”
Why ought to I get examined?
Even if you happen to don't expertise signs, there’s nonetheless an opportunity that you’ve an STI if you’re sexually lively.
“STIs like chlamydia could don’t have any signs in 70 p.c of circumstances,” Reid mentioned. “Lengthy-term results of STIs will be issues like infertility and power pelvic ache.”
Reid desires college students to know that some questions requested by SHS professionals could make them really feel uncomfortable, however that it is very important be sincere. No person is being judged.
“When scheduling an STI screening appointment, college students ought to know that we normally begin by merely asking a couple of questions that will appear intrusive at first,” Reid mentioned. “We're not asking questions 'simply because'. We ask that you just be sure you consider your dangers to carry out acceptable testing. We’re used to asking them on a regular basis and we don’t choose their conduct. “We ask the identical inquiries to everybody, no matter their gender id, companions or sexual practices.”
How are the checks finished?
“The HIV check right here at SHS is completed by finger stick and we are going to inform you the outcomes inside 15 minutes,” Reid mentioned.
The syphilis check is a blood check, and the gonorrhea and chlamydia check will be finished with urine (which has been retained for not less than one hour) or with a vaginal, rectal, oral, or cervical swab. You’ll be able to take the Q-tip check your self if you happen to desire to not take the examination.
What occurs if I check optimistic?
“If you happen to check optimistic for gonorrhea, chlamydia or syphilis, we are going to deal with you with an antibiotic,” Reid mentioned. “We then advocate that you just repeat the check three months later.”
In case your HIV check comes again optimistic, the very first thing SHS will do is receive extra blood checks to substantiate a real optimistic. You’ll then be related to a neighborhood clinic to start therapy.
“There are actually good remedies for HIV that may management the virus and considerably scale back transmission,” Reid mentioned.
You will need to be aware that whereas all the checks listed above are free, there could also be extra prices related to prescriptions or follow-up appointments if essential.
What about HPV or herpes?
SHS doesn’t embrace HPV (human papillomavirus) or herpes amongst its free checks as a result of there are at present no screening choices for these STIs.
“If you happen to had signs of herpes or HPV, then we might do a tradition or a biopsy,” Reid mentioned. “HPV will be prevented with the Gardasil HPV vaccine. Most individuals obtain them as youngsters, however if you happen to haven't, our vaccine clinic provides the HPV collection and most insurance coverage provide protection.”
How do I keep away from STIs or undesirable pregnancies?
SHS supplies free inner and exterior condoms all through Laurel Corridor. Exterior of April, STI providers are provided year-round via SHS as a part of the wellness payment.
“You should purchase emergency contraception at our dispensary at a considerably decrease value than at native pharmacies,” Reid mentioned. “We additionally provide HIV PrEP therapy choices for many who are in danger. Our Sexual and Reproductive Well being Companies division additionally provides routine annual exams, Pap checks, and contraceptive choices comparable to IUDs and the Nexplanon implant.”
What if I'm nonetheless unsure concerning the checks?
“STI testing is confidential and personal at Pupil Well being Companies,” Reid mentioned. “We don’t invoice your insurance coverage. If you’re nonetheless very afraid, you’ll be able to come and speak to us first. “We are going to by no means drive anybody to take a check.”
Go to the SHS web site for extra details about STI testing.