HealthierU ~ December 6, 2006

Upcoming Events
Wessex!!!!
Wednesday, December 13 ~ 7:00pm ~ Nic Lounge
The Wesleyan Health Empowerment Network presents Wessex...everything you've ever wanted to know about healthy sex and keeping you and your partner(s) safe. Join in this interactive workshop...and bring your questions since there is no such thing as a stupid question! Sponsored by WHEN

Stress Free Zone
Thursday, December 14 ~ 4:30 to 6:30pm ~ Campus Center MPR
Get a free chair massage, make a holiday card for your mom or play a favorite game in this stress-relieving atmosphere!
Sponsored by WesWELL

Want to list your health-oriented event in HealthierU?
Email weswell@wesleyan.edu with the complete details!

Announcements

Wesleyan Public Health Advisory: Persistent Cough

Sexual Health visits/GYN exam deadline
Health Services is requesting that anyone who wishes to have a sexual health visit or GYN exam yet this semester to call for an appointment no later than Friday, December 8. Call 860.685.2470 to schedule this or any other appointment. 

Tips for a HealthierU

Don't know if it's a cold or the flu?
Use this handy guide from WebMD to help you determine what you have...and how to treat it: http://www.webmd.com/content/pages/5/4068_111.htm

What are the risks of using a friend's prescription drugs to get through finals week?
Check out this research report from the National Institute on Drug ABuse to find out the details: http://www.drugabuse.gov/ResearchReports/Prescription/Prescription.html

Feeling sleep deprived?
MedBroadcast shows the problems that can arise from too little sleep:
http://www.medbroadcast.com/channel_health_features_details.asp?channel_id=1044&relation_id=6662&health_feature_id=58&article_id=105
 

Quote of the Week
"I prefer to be true to myself, even at the hazard of incurring the ridicule of others, rather than to be false, and to incur my own abhorrence."  ~Frederick Douglass

Healthy Dose of Info on STI Testing
During a clinical visit, many clinicians won't automatically test for sexually transmitted infections ? you have to ask. By asking questions about your sexual history, your clinician can help decide which tests are appropriate. Unfortunately, there is no single test for all sexually transmitted infections ? separate tests are needed.

Genital warts, pubic lice, and scabies may be detected during a physical or visual exam. Blood may be drawn to test for hepatitis, herpes, HIV, or syphilis. Urine samples can be used to test for gonorrhea, chlamydia, or HIV. Samples of discharge can be used to test for herpes, gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomonas, or syphilis. Tissue can be tested for chlamydia, gonorrhea, or scabies. Saliva can be used to test for HIV antibodies.

Biological women should start having Pap tests three years after they have vaginal intercourse or when they become 21 years old ? whether or not they have had vaginal intercourse.  Testing for sexually transmitted infections can be done at the same time.  Talk with your clinician about how often you should have periodic GYN visits and exams; generally they should be done every 1 - 3 years.  You may need to have frequent checkups if you have a breast lump, a history of abnormal Pap test results, a history of sexual health problems, a mother or sister who developed breast cancer before menopause, a sexually related illness, a sexually transmitted infection or a sex partner with an infection.

Testing for sexually transmitted infections for biological men can be done during a sexual health visit as well. The clinician will likely need to do a swab test. This means taking a sample of cells with a cotton-tipped swab from the inside of the urethra, the throat and/or the rectum, depending on what concerns are present. The clinician gently inserts a long cotton-tipped swab into the urethra to get a sample of cells. The cells gathered this way will be examined under a microscope, just like they would be for a woman. 

If you or your partner engage in high-risk sexual behavior (including unprotected sex), have had many sexual partners, or share needles or sex toys, ask your health care professional to be tested. A good time may be before starting a sexual relationship with someone new. Some STIs have little or no symptoms, and may take months to show up in testing, so even after testing you should still use barrier protection (such as condoms and oral dams) to lower your risk. 

Contact Health Services for more information on testing and prices, and to schedule an appointment for a sexual health visit.

~ Compiled from various questions at Ask Dr. Cullins, http://plannedparenthood.org/sexual-health/ask-dr-cullins-6602.htm and Scarleteen, www.scarleteen.com
 

For more information on Wesleyan's health offices, visit:
WesWELL, the Office of Health Education ~ www.wesleyan.edu/weswell
Health Services ~ www.wesleyan.edu/healthservices
Office of Behavioral Health for Students ~ www.wesleyan.edu/obhs

HealthierU is created and maintained by WesWELL, the Office of Health Education. 
Please direct any feedback or suggestions to Lisa Currie, Director of Health Education, at weswell@wesleyan.edu or 860.685.2466.

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