Private MD News

College campuses struggle with rising STD rates

Category: Sexually Transmitted Diseases

While the number of sexually transmitted diseases continues to rise across all demographics, rates are especially high among college students. In an effort to curb this trend, many health experts are recommending that college students receive an STD test before continuing sexual activity.

Sam Prien, a professor at the Texas Tech University Health Science Center, told the Daily Toreador that too few college students seek STD testing despite the fact that their behavior is generally riskier than the non-college population.

"Keep in mind you have sex with every person your partner has ever had sex with," Prien told the news source. "You cannot use the look test and just assume someone does not have an STD. You have to be honest with your partner and not be so quick to engage in sexual activity."

He added that STD rates around the area of Texas Tech are significantly higher than national averages, which increases the odds that a student will contract an infection.

More than 15 million cases of syphilis, Chlamydia and gonorrhea are reported nationally each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.