Page 16
Monday, June 24, 2013
The University Daily Kansan
STDS FROM PAGE 15
phone call after her yearly exam.
"They told me I was diagnosed with Chlamydia a couple weeks ago," she said. "Even though it's curable, the news is still heartbreaking. You would never think a lake trip over Memorial Day weekend would turn into one of the biggest mistakes of your life."
Some infections can lead to serious health problems if not diagnosed and treated properly. A simple antibiotic shot or other form of medication will rid those infected of gonorrhea, syphilis and chlamydia, but that
doesn't mean students shouldn't be concerned.
"As of now, there is no cure for genital herpes," Saripalli said. "People infected will generally have one or more blisters on or around the genitals, rectum or mouth during a 'breakout'. The blisters break and leave painful sores that may take two to four weeks to heal. This will occur for the rest of their life."
These circumstances have caused some students to be cautious.
Casey Rodgers, an alum from Kansas City, Kan., has gotten tested every six months since he was 18 years old.
"Better safe than sorry," Rodgers said. "I'm young and careless when I have too many shots of tequila, especially in the summer. Getting tested is nerve-racking, but who wants to be that guy spreading an STD? It's not me, that's for sure."
Confidential tests for STDs are available for students at Watkins Student Health Services. The health center accepts walk-ins or appointments to test for multiple infections by a blood sample or urine test. For more information, visit its student-health.ku.edu.
Edited by Megan Hinman
Gender totals do not equal overall total due to rounding
___ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (United States, 2008)