Have you been tested?
School hosts STD testing; wellness a top priority
Susan Patton
Issue date: 3/22/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Sacred Heart's Health and Wellness Center and Peer Educators sponsored free confidential STD testing for students at the Pitt Center Board Room on Wednesday.
The testing was provided by the State of Connecticut's Department of Public Health.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is estimated that 19 million new infections occur each year with almost half of them occurring among young people between the ages of 15 and 24.
"Having the free STD testing is a good idea on campus because it helps students to be more safe and to be able to get tested in a more confidential manner," said Matt Miller, junior, Hillsborough, N.J.
Chlamydia is the most widely reported infectious disease in the nation. It is a bacterial infection that is usually asymptomatic and often undiagnosed. If left untreated in women, it can cause severe health consequences including pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), ectopic pregnancy, and infertility, according to CDC.
Free of charge medications for STD treatment was also offered to any students who tested positive.
Despite most students agreed that having STD testing on campus is a postivie thing, many were also confused about it contradicting the standards of a Catholic school.
"Although testing for STD's is a really good program to have on campus, it strongly contradicts the Catholic rules and morals that are enforced on this campus," said Lizzy McDonough, senior, Rockville Centre, N.Y.
"I'm confused with the free testing on campus, even though I do believe it is a good thing, because from my understanding it is illegal at Sacred Heart to have condoms in your room and you can be written up if caught having sex, said Miller. "Yet, they are offering this testing. I think it's hypocritical."
Like Miller, Paul D'Agostino, junior, Eastchester, N.Y. said he would never expect STD testing in a school where it is illegal to have condoms in your dorm room.
"But I like the idea of the free testing on campus," said D'Agost
The testing was provided by the State of Connecticut's Department of Public Health.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is estimated that 19 million new infections occur each year with almost half of them occurring among young people between the ages of 15 and 24.
"Having the free STD testing is a good idea on campus because it helps students to be more safe and to be able to get tested in a more confidential manner," said Matt Miller, junior, Hillsborough, N.J.
Chlamydia is the most widely reported infectious disease in the nation. It is a bacterial infection that is usually asymptomatic and often undiagnosed. If left untreated in women, it can cause severe health consequences including pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), ectopic pregnancy, and infertility, according to CDC.
Free of charge medications for STD treatment was also offered to any students who tested positive.
Despite most students agreed that having STD testing on campus is a postivie thing, many were also confused about it contradicting the standards of a Catholic school.
"Although testing for STD's is a really good program to have on campus, it strongly contradicts the Catholic rules and morals that are enforced on this campus," said Lizzy McDonough, senior, Rockville Centre, N.Y.
"I'm confused with the free testing on campus, even though I do believe it is a good thing, because from my understanding it is illegal at Sacred Heart to have condoms in your room and you can be written up if caught having sex, said Miller. "Yet, they are offering this testing. I think it's hypocritical."
Like Miller, Paul D'Agostino, junior, Eastchester, N.Y. said he would never expect STD testing in a school where it is illegal to have condoms in your dorm room.
"But I like the idea of the free testing on campus," said D'Agost
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