Spring Fever leads to STD's

Spring break. Bikinis, swim trunks and lots of alcohol. The perfect setting for promiscuity. But before stripping down and throwing back a cold one, or two, or three, or four this spring break, maybe one should consider the following question.

"A lot of times during spring break students party more and are more likely to have unsafe sex," Health Educator Mary Byron-Garcia said.

"How does an honest person tell the man she really loves that she has herpes? We haven't slept together. It's from my "x" man."

This is an anonymous inscription copied from one of the women's bathroom stalls located on the Upper Campus of Cal State Long Beach.

Herpes simplex virus (HVS) is one virus in a group of contagious infections that are spread almost entirely by sexual contact. According to a CSULB health brief, HVS, is transmitted by vaginal, anal, or oral-genital contact. Once the virus invades the body it causes symptoms for about a week. It lies dormant in the nerve cells of the body for the rest of the person's life, occasionally causing a recurrence of the symptoms. There is no known medical cure.

An estimated 40 million Americans have genital herpes and 40 million have human papillomavirus (HPV), the cause of genital warts. One million Americans are living with HIV/AIDS, which is usually fatal.

The American Social Health Association is encouraging people to learn about STDs during the month of April. "There is a common misconception that except for HIV and AIDS that STDs are under control in this country and no longer pose a threat," said ASHA president Peggy Clarke. "In fact, STDs infect at least 55 million Americans and are spreading at the rate of 12 million new cases each year."

Clarke added that woman are more susceptible to STD infection, because of anatomical differences, and are less likely than men to experience symptoms and are therefore more difficult to diagnose. In women, untreated STDs can lead to severe consequences including infertility and tubal pregnancy.

A new study of women college students, conducted by ASHA, indicates 85 percent of women students are sexually active and that almost half of all the women surveyed use no protection against sexually transmitted diseases.

According to Clarke, among the most startling survey findings are the number of women who have never had a pelvic exam. One in four women students, and one in five sexually active women students, have never had a pelvic exam stressing that gynecological exams are extremely important to a woman's sexual health. "In addition to a clinical exam, they provide a forum for education about STDs and protection against STDs."

CSULB Student Health Services published a pamphlet suggesting that one should minimize and be selective in choosing their sexual partners. Also suggested is the use of a condom during sex, washing before and after sexual contact and to have regular health examinations.

In an effort to educate CSULB students and to receive feedback, the Student Health Center will be passing out a Safe Break Kit this year.

"The kits are a way to make students think about their sexual practices before they get into a situation in which they might be less likely to practice safe sex," Garcia said.

The kits include condoms, lubricant, and a Safer Sex Cookbook that suggests alternatives to using drugs and sex over the break. The cookbook has been composed by the Health Center. Also included in the kit is candy, and a love coupon that students can fill in their own individual message.

In return for the kit, students are asked to fill out a brief questionnaire on sexual practices. The kits will be given out today between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. between the University Bookstore and University Student Union, near The Nugget.