Wrap it up
If ever there was a time to be reminded about safe sex, it's now.
There's been an increase of sexually transmitted infections on CMU's campus, health officials recently announced.
Since the semester has started, health officials have seen 10 to 12 cases of gonorrhea.
While 10 to 12 cases might not sound like a lot to most students, health officials put that into perspective during a recent interview with Central Michigan Life.
"We sometimes see that number or less for the whole year," said Sarah Yonder, a physician at University Health Services.
In fact, there's probably many more unaware, infected students with gonorrhea or other STIs walking around CMU's campus.
The increase of STIs on campus is sad - because it's a situation that can be prevented.
Students have no excuse when it comes to not knowing the dangers of unprotected sex.
As college students, it has been drilled into our heads since grade school.
Everyone knows about unplanned pregnancies, STIs and the transmission of AIDS.
But it would appear as if many CMU students don't care.
Sarah Campbell, director of Health Services, said the most dangerous STIs at CMU are chlamydia and gonorrhea.
That's not surprising.
Chlamydia is the most common STI in the U.S., and gonorrhea also is included in that group.
Both these diseases can be treated, but that's not the issue.
The bigger issue is that many times, these infections can lead to other, more serious illnesses, in both men and women.
And in most cases, an infected person has no symptoms, therefore increasing the potential of spreading it to someone else.
There's also no excuse for students not taking advantages of the resources available to them concerning this issue.
Health Services offers confidential care from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. There are plenty of places where students can get tested for little or no cost.
There's even resources for those who live in the residence halls. Most resident assistants give out free condoms to students who ask.
Students need to remember that with the choice to have sex comes the responsibility to do it safely.
Use a condom. Get tested. Know your partners.
