It’s that time of year again: cuffing season. But before everyone starts on a mission to find and secure their wintertime boo, we need to start asking each other the real questions: Have you recently been tested for sexually transmitted infections? And if not, when are you going to get tested?

Syracuse University offers free STI screenings available to students throughout the school year. By offering free screenings, the university is lessening the taboo associated with sexual health, and they’re doing it in an accessible way.

There’s no excuse not to get tested.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2017 released a report stating the prevalence of certain STDs has reached a record high in the United States. A total of 2,295,739 STD cases, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis, were reported.

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Women between the ages of 15 and 24 account for nearly half of those reported cases and face the most severe consequences of an undiagnosed infection.

“It is a common misconception that only certain types of people with high risk behaviors get STIs. However, these infections don’t discriminate. You don’t have to have multiple partners or ‘hook up a lot’ to get STIs. In fact, all you need is one partner that is infected,” said Milena Garofalo, of Queen’s University’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, in an email.

STIs don’t prefer one anatomy to another — everyone could be infected and affected.

“It all comes down to knowledge,” Garofalo said. “First and foremost, students need to be well informed about STIs and how to prevent them using safe sexual practices. We need to educate students about the risks and dispel myths and misconceptions. Provide sound and evidence based information.”

Garofalo said students need to prioritize conversations and counseling about birth control, STI campus screenings and invite speakers to colleges who are informed about STIs.

While winter may make students more curious about sexual health and experiences, caring about your sexual health should be a year-round priority.

Jewél Jackson is a sophomore communication and rhetorical studies major in the College of Visual and Performing Arts. Her column appears biweekly. She can be reached at jjacks17@syr.edu.

Published on November 11, 2018 at 6:12 pm