The Student News Site of Saint Louis University

The University News

The Student News Site of Saint Louis University

The University News

The Student News Site of Saint Louis University

The University News

STDs in STL

Certainly the phrase “sex sells” has been around for many years, but in light of St. Louis recently being named the No. 1 city in the country for sexually transmitted disease rates, perhaps sex is being sold a bit too much. The recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that three STDs (gonorrhea, Chlamydia and syphilis) had increased in the number of reported cases for the second consecutive year. More unsettling still is that according to the study, there are more cases among young women, minority groups and homosexuals.

The rise in the number of reported cases is appalling. It seems obvious that the simplest solution to stopping the rise from continuing next year is nothing more than common sense. Sadly, common sense does not seem to be so common anymore.

We know that it is Catholic teaching to not engage in premarital sex, but we understand that not all students follow this teaching. A condom is one of the easiest and most effective ways of preventing the contraction of an STD. Not using effective protection in an age where that protection is available nearly on every corner in a city, is inexcusable.

Young women should be aware that any sexual partner carries the possibility of an STD, and it is encouraged to have any sexual partner tested for all STDs, not just the three primary STDs that the CDCP sees most often.

Admittedly, it is not helpful that the sexual climate of the university, with drinking and other activities, often does not foster the responsible and safe sexual activity that is effective at preventing the contraction and spread of disease. However, this does not let young men and women at the university level off of the proverbial hook. There are far too many opportunities to prevent the contraction and spreading of sexual diseases to allow the “I didn’t know” excuse.

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Forcing responsibility upon college students is part and parcel to the college experience. Students who drink should drink responsibly, so as to not endanger themselves or those around them. Students who have sex should do so responsibly and for the same reasons. Self-respect and self-responsibility are the hallmarks of a blossoming college student with a positive attitude set to spearhead change in the world.

Perhaps if the message of personal responsibility in the issue of personal health were taken to heart, the rates of reported STDs would decline, or at least reach a plateau. We hope that college students will face the matter of their sexual health in a mature and safe manner.

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