UHS offers chlamydia and gonorrhea self-screen options for students who may not feel comfortable discussing their sexual health with a provider.

Liz Falk-Hanson, a nurse practitioner in the Gynecology Clinic, says perceived barriers may keep students from making an appointment with a provider. “We know there are students who have concerns about their sexual health but talking to someone is not their preference. We want to provide an opportunity to get screened and access to UHS services in any way that is right for them.”

Falk-Hanson says there are many students who don’t utilize UHS services but who fall into the category of those who should be annually screened for STIs. “We want to normalize routine STI testing. If you’re sexually active, you should get tested every year. We’re not singling out people who are higher-risk. It’s just for everyone,” says Falk-Hanson.

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is the most commonly reported STI in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that all sexually active people under the age of 25 regardless of the number of partners—current or previous—get tested for chlamydia each year.

Chlamydia is most commonly spread through vaginal sex, and if left untreated, may cause pelvic inflammatory disease or infertility. For most, chlamydia has no symptoms and the symptoms that do appear—such as a burning sensation while urinating or abnormal vaginal discharge—may not appear for several weeks or may be mistaken for something else. If left untreated, it may cause pelvic inflammatory disease, epididymitis (a painful testicular infection), impact future fertility, or lead to chronic pelvic pain.

People with current chlamydia infections are also at increased risk of getting HIV if exposed.

CDC data shows that the national rate of reported cases of chlamydia has been increasing in recent years. Males have similar rates for chlamydia as females but their risk for untreated infection is lower.

Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is a fairly common STI and any sexually active person can get gonorrhea through unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex.

Most people with gonorrhea infection have no symptoms or just mild symptoms, such as genital discharge or painful urination. Some men with gonorrhea may have no symptoms at all. Men who do have symptoms may have a burning sensation when urinating or a white, yellow, or green discharge from the penis. Most women with gonorrhea do not have any symptoms. Even when a woman has symptoms, they are often mild and can be mistaken for a bladder or vaginal infection. Women with gonorrhea are at risk of developing serious complications from the infection, even if they don’t have any symptoms.

Like chlamydia, untreated gonorrhea in women can cause pelvic inflammatory disease, epididymitis (a painful testicular infection), problems with fertility, or chronic pelvic pain. Untreated infection can increase the risk for getting HIV.  In men, gonorrhea can cause a painful condition in the tubes attached to the testicles.

Making a self-screen appointment is simple

• Log into MyUHS
• Choose Medical visit, then  “Sexually Transmitted Infection Symptoms or Screening”
• Select a time for a lab visit and whether you want to do a urine test or a vaginal swab
• Check-in for the appointment and go to the lab desk to receive the specimen label and instructions on how to collect the specimen.

There is no need to interact with any staff except to receive the specimen label in the lab. Results are typically available in three to five business days. Falk-Hanson hopes offering a convenient testing option helps to catch positive infections early so students can be treated without the risk of long-term health effects. “The test is no-cost, easy, painless and you can do it on your own terms.”

• All services and clinic medical records are strictly confidential.
• Minors do not need parental consent for testing or treatment.
• The cost of any medication prescribed is not included.

UHS offers a gonorrhea and chlamydia self-screen option for students who have concerns about their sexual health but prefer not to speak directly to a provider. Making a chlamydia self-screen appointment is simple.

STI screenings are also available at the Women’s Health Clinic, and are a routine part of each visit.

The Sexual Health Clinic does not provide contraceptive care, pregnancy screening, evaluation of erectile dysfunction, routine gynecological care, or other primary care. Students may contact the Women’s Health Clinic or the Primary Care Clinic for these concerns.

We won’t give you the full list, but yes, there are 101 strains of human papillomavirus (HPV). More than 101 actually. But before you get too worried, only 12 strains are high-risk, and about 40 affect the genital area.

HPV is a sexually transmitted infection with few symptoms except for genital warts and genital itching. The best way to limit your risk of contracting HPV is to practice safe sex and use latex condoms or dental dams.

Most people who are infected don’t even know they have HPV, but 85 to 95 percent of sexually active people will contract HPV. Most HPV strains cause little to no harm but without medical treatment, some of the high-risk strains can result in genital warts and/or cervical cancer.

Dr. Patrick Kelly, interim director of Medical Services at UHS, explains that HPV is not always a long-term infection.

“Your body’s immune system recognizes it’s infected with a virus and the body will rid itself of HPV in the majority of cases. It only has persistence in 10 to 20 percent of cases.”

Jenny Kind, the UHS Community Health and Epidemiology Nurse Clinician, explains HPV can be linked to throat cancer and other effects.

“Some people may have constant coughing, pain in their throat, or a masses in their neck. Also, vulvar or penile cancers can cause changes in the color or the thickness of your skin in those regions,” Kind says.

Both Kind and Kelly encourage the use of condoms and recommend students get vaccinated against HPV.

“The HPV vaccine protects against the more prevalent cases of HPV, as well as genital warts and cervical cancer,” says Kind.

Getting vaccinated required a series of three shots, each separated by a few months. All three shots are required to be fully protected against HPV.

“The vaccine protects against nine strains of HPV. Essentially, the one vaccine is like getting treated nine times,” says Kelly.

The HPV vaccine is available at UHS for a fee. Students with SHIP insurance can get vaccinated at no cost. Genital warts can be removed in the Sexual Health Clinic or Women’s Health Clinic. UHS also offers no-cost screenings for STIs. To set up a vaccination appointment, log in to MyUHS or call 608-265-5600.

Written by Emilie Burditt, UHS Communications Assistant