STIs are more common than many college students seem to realize. It’s quite probable that a large number of students on campus will contract an STI during their college years. The American Social Health Association, or ASHA, Web site said one in two sexually active people will have an STI before the age of 25.

Erica Phillipich, coordinator for the Center for Sexual Health Promotion at Olin Health Center, said it’s even possible that many students will never know they’ve come in contact with an STI.

“Most MSU students do not have an infection,” Phillipich said. “The most common infection nationwide is HPV (human papillomavirus). It is spread through skin-to-skin contact, and most people will not experience any symptoms. It is a transient infection, and most people’s immune system will take care of the infection on its own.”

Not all STIs are so subtle, though. Phillipich said there are a few symptoms to watch for if you think you’ve been exposed after unprotected sex.

“Sometimes, unusual discharge, painful or burning urination, genital skin changes or pelvic discomfort may be the only signs of an infection,” Phillipich said.

If an infection is suspected, students can get tested and treated for STIs at Olin Health Center, Phillipich said.

“A blood draw is needed to test for syphilis, and a urine specimen is needed for chlamydia or gonorrhea. An HIV test can be performed through an oral swab,” Phillipich said. “Students shouldn’t be embarrassed if they have an STI test. We are here to help and want to keep students healthy so they can continue to be academically successful while at MSU.”

Prevention and protection are still keys to avoid catching an STI. The ASHA says besides abstinence or having only one STI-free sexual partner, condoms are the only proven method to prevent the transmission of STIs or HIV.

Social work and psychology junior Teresa-Jo Barabe, a resident mentor in Mason Hall, said she and other resident mentors always keep safe sex pamphlets and information on contraceptives and STIs on hand for their residents, as well as condoms.

“If people think they have an STD, they can look at the board in my hallway when I do a safe-sex board to find numbers and references,” Barabe said. “A lot of mentors do that.”

“I think, as a mentor, if someone came to me and needed help, I would discuss things with them in the most unbiased way possible,” Barabe said. “I put condoms in a candy dish in my room so people will come talk to me and not be embarrassed to come take some. Two weeks ago, my candy dish was overflowing, and now it’s pretty low.”

Telecommunication, information studies and media senior Kyle Kopicki said he thinks there are plenty of resources on campus to educate people about STIs and to provide testing services.

“Olin is right there if you feel a burning sensation where you shouldn’t,” Kopicki said. “I’ve been to a few safe-sex programs they’ve had on campus where they talked about how common it is to get STDs and how you should always use protection like condoms. They played games and gave out condoms so people wouldn’t feel too embarrassed or think STDs are a taboo topic anymore.”