College is a rite of passage for many young people entering into adulthood, with independent decision-making without the close watchful eyes of their parents, guardian, and community.
College is a time in a young adult's life where most experiments and explores their sexual preference, often through exploring, and naturally, mistakes occur.

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Sexually transmitted diseases (STD), or Sexually Transmitted Infections ( STI), are often preventable but are still prevalent on college campuses among young adults who are exploring their desires without a prophylactic, physical barrier like a condom or other safeguard measures.

According to the CDC, young adults between the ages of 15-24
makeup almost 20 million newly diagnosed sexually transmitted infections yearly in America.
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STD or STI can be classified based on the agent of the infection as:

- Viral (Virus)

- Bacterial ( Bacteria)

- Parasitic ( Parasite)
Bacterial are:

- Bacterial vaginosis

- Chlamydia

- Gonorrhea

- Mycoplasma

- Syphilis
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Viral is:

- Hepatitis B

- Herpes 1 and 2

- HIV

- Human papillomavirus (HPV)
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Parasitic is:

- Trichomoniasis

- Ureaplasma

What are some STD Symptoms?

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Symptoms for an STD present differently in men and women, and sometimes these symptoms are ignored before treatment is sort. Below are common presentations for either gender are:

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Women:

- Changes in vaginal discharge ( green or yellow)

- Infertility

- Itchiness

- Open sores in
vaginal area or lips

- Lumps, bumps, and growths

- Pain in the affected area

- Pelvic inflammatory disease

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Men:

- Burning or pain during urination

- Infertility

- Lumps or bumps on the genital area

- Discolored (green or yellow) discharge from the penis

- Open sores or ulcers on the genital area or lips

- Pain in the abdomen

- Pain during sex

- Pain in the testicles

- Pelvic inflammatory disease

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Per CDC, The infection percentages for chlamydia and gonorrhea have maintained the highest among young adults. If left untreated, STD infections can have devastating consequences, especially for women, as it is responsible for over 20,000 causes of infertility in women each year.
Testing for STD and STI depends on the symptoms present. The recommendation is that a health care professional or trained personnel complete the test or supervise the test completion

What are some types of STD testing available?

- Blood sample from either a vein blood draw or a stick to the finger

- Sample of urine

- Mouth swab of the mouth

- Genital swab of the cervix or tip of penis swab

- Swab of all open sores or discharge.

You are encouraged to talk to your doctor about:

- If you are sexually active

- Sexual preference, whether with men, women, or both?

- Number of sexual partners in the last year

- Sexual activities you participate in including oral, vaginal or anal, oral, or vaginal sex

The best way to prevent STDs is abstinence.
Abstinence may not be realistic for everybody, and in that case, the use of prophylactics like condoms and appropriate barriers during sexual encounters.

https://www.cdc.gov/stdconference/2016/highlights/adol.htm

https://www.pexels.com/search/black%20college%20students/

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