Play it safe with Condoms

The Centers for Disease Control estimate that 19 million new sexually transmitted infections occur each year and almost half are among 15- to 24-year-olds.

According to the National Condom Week website, the primary goal of the observation is to provide educational information through schools, universities and family planning organizations to give people tools necessary to maintain good sexual health.

According to the American Social Health Association, The University of California-Berkley started National Condom Week in 1978 to raise awareness about the importance of safe sex, sexually transmitted diseases, sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancies.

Paula Daggett, college health center coordinator and registered nurse, said, "Abstinence is the 100 percent way not to get an STD, HIV or pregnant, but the reality is that it doesn't always happen."

TESTING

On Tuesday, the office of student life will offer HIV testing in Loftin Student Center. Daggett said this college tries to offer testing at least twice a semester.

Free pizza, HIV education and testing will be provided by University Health Systems.

Testing will follow a noon presentation on HIV facts and prevention and a question and answer session.

Free testing, private and confidential, is scheduled between 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Results of a saliva swab are available within 20 minutes. Counselors will be available for anyone who tests HIV positive.

The website of the CDC states that if exposed to the HIV virus through sexual contact, STD-infected individuals are at least two to five times more likely than uninfected individuals to acquire the HIV infection.

PREVENTION

Stopthinkbesafe.org explains that research shows that latex condoms, when used consistently and correctly, are highly effective in preventing the transmission of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS and reduces the risk of contracting other STDs.

However, the use of condoms alone does not eliminate the possibility of pregnancy or infection.

Consumer Reports found no holes or tears in their Top Picks, but warns that industry standards allow for a certain number of defects per batch.

Bacterial STDs, such as gonorrhea, chlamydia and syphilis, can be cured with antibiotics, however, viral STDs, such as genital herpes, are lifelong infections.

Planned Parenthood at 120 W. Ashby Place provides services including birth control, testing and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases for women and men.

The cost for a package of STD testing that includes chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and HIV is $249.

There are many different resources that students can access on and off campus for more STD information.

Peer Educators is a group of work-study counselors who are available for student advising on personal or academic issues.

Education sophomore Laura Martinez, a Peer Educators work-study student, said free condoms are available anytime, no questions asked.

Office hours in Room 118 of Chance Academic Center are 9 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday.

For more information about STD testing, call Planned Parenthood at 210-736-2475.

Some other helpful websites include: http://goaskalice.columbia.edu/, an online archive of health questions and answers from Columbia Health.

According to the American Social Health Association website, more than half of all people will have an STD or STI at some point in their lifetime. If you are sexually active, minimize your risk and the risk to your partners.