by Rachael Slivka

   STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections) exist on every college campus and lurk behind all sexual encounters. As the old adage goes, when you sleep with someone, you sleep with everyone that person has previously slept with.

   STIs, also known as STDs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases), are infections that are passed from one individual to another through intimate or direct sexual contact. A person can have more than one STI at a time. While there are a lot of different STIs found among the general population, there are a few that are especially prevalent on college campuses.

   According to Dr. Ellen Mascoli-Lanza, medical director at the Davison Health Center, the two most common diseases on college campuses, for both men and women, are chlamydia and HPV/genital warts. Mascoli-Lanza estimated that about 5-10% of Wesleyan University males tested for HPV/genital warts test positive, and that about 5% test positive for Chlamydia. She estimated that positive cases for both diseases in women are fewer than 10%.

   It should be noted that these percentages do not apply to how many students in the University have these diseases. These estimates come only from students tested at the Health Center. Because the Health Center does see a wide range of students, however, Mascoli-Lanza believes that these numbers are representative of the overall population at the University.

   The most common STI among women at the University is bacterial vaginosis, which is seen in about 20% of women tested. The equivalent of this STI in men is called nongonnococcal urethritis (NGU). The percentage of infected men, however, is not nearly as high.

   “Students are much more prone to get these other [STIs]. They’re worried about getting their partners tested for HIV and that’s all well and good, but they may still be positive for [other diseases],” Mascoli-Lanza explained.

   Chlamydia, an unusual intracellular bacterium, is most often transmitted by vaginal or anal sex. Most patients have no symptoms. If the bacteria are present, however, women may feel pain or dull aching from the cervix or pain during urination or intercourse. Men may have urethral discharge or pain with urination. Intact condoms should provide protection.

   Merely touching an infected person’s lesions transmits HPV, a disease on the rise on college campuses. Once again, there are usually no symptoms, but external lesions may itch. Barrier methods are only partially protective against HPV because lesions may be present in areas not covered.

   Transmitted through contact of mucous membranes, bacterial vaginosis/NGU is also usually a-symptomatic, but can include painful or frequent urination and a white discharge. Condoms should provide protection.

   The most important aspect of STI education is learning how to prevent oneself from contracting STIs, according to Mascoli-Lanza. Prevention education includes getting tested for STIs at regular medical check-ups and familiarizing oneself with the common symptoms and long-term effects of STIs.

   “I think people are pretty well aware in the college population,” Mascoli-Lanza said. “The only real protection is abstinence and then [aside from that], using some kind of barrier like a condom.”

   “Everyone at Wes gets all down on serial monogamy, but when it comes to STDs it’s really got its upsides,” said Eli Staub ’04.

   For women, HPV can end up causing cervical cancer in some cases. For both men and women, lesions can be pre-cancerous, although these lesions may not become cancerous until an advanced age. Chlamydia can lead to infertility if left untreated. Bacterial vaginosis can spread to a woman’s tubes in serious situations and may result in tubal scarring, infertility or the risk of a tubal pregnancy.

   “Students don’t think in the long term in this age group. They tend to think in the short term. They should be worried but they may not be. [STIs] can cause serious long term health concerns,” Mascoli-Lanza said.

   While bacterial STIs can be treated with antibiotics, only a few medications are available for viral STIs. Thus, though these STIs are treatable through antibiotics or other medications, the Health Center staff urges students to avoid putting themselves at risk altogether by following proper procedures. The Health Center promotes this goal by offering resources such as testing, free condoms, and informational pamphlets.

   “I personally am not very worried about STIs, but I know that if I was put in a position where I was uncomfortable or had questions I could go to the Health Center or WesWell. I feel fairly confident at Wesleyan in regards to protecting myself and getting the information I need to protect myself,” said Osborne Hazel ’03.

   In addition, drug or alcohol use in “potentially intimate situations” has been shown to increase risk of STI contraction. 

   “Drinking does lead to more unprotected sex so that’s something for students to be aware of,” Mascoli-Lanza cautioned. “We tend to see more people coming in to get tested or to get the morning-after pill on the weekend. Whereas normally they would have been much more cautious, people are not using common sense because they’re not thinking as clearly.”

   Many students, however, feel that they are fairly well informed about STIs.

   “My mother is very into that stuff so I know a lot. I’m aware of the severity of them, how much more women are affected, etc. I’m not really concerned about them. I do a good job of preventing them from happening to myself,” said Nick Malinowski ’04.

   While most students do not seem too worried, some still express individual concerns.

   “I’m not really worried because I feel like it’s something I can control by not having sex or by having sex with a condom,” said Julie Stankiewicz ’03. “However, I think that people never talk about STDs by oral sex so that’s sort of a question in my mind. I feel like it’s something people don’t know about.”

    Some students approach prevention in a different way.

   “I’m not very concerned considering I’m not having sex,” said Julie Glickman ’04. “I know lots about STDs because I’ve taken lots of health classes. I know how to protect myself – abstinence!”

            If students have additional concerns, they should seek assistance at the Davison Health Center, WesWell or with their own private physicians.