Universities are large-scale breeding grounds for the intelligent future of the nation. Statistics for sexually transmitted infections continuously show that intelligence isn't the only thing breeding on university campuses.
According to Susan Mancuso, a nurse practitioner working in Student Health Services in Michael Hall, STD infections are most prevalent among young people aged 13 to 25. University aged individuals make up a large portion of the one out of every five people infected with STDs each year.
"This is an age when students begin to experiment with their sexuality and they may not be fully educated or informed on the risks and how to keep (themselves) safer," said Mancuso. "People are unaware of barrier methods that are out there to decrease transmission."
The American Social Health Association (ASHA) has found another reason why STDs might be so prevalent among young adults: Their unwarranted trust that their partners are sexually healthy.
In a study conducted earlier this year by ASHA with the results published by CBS News online, ASHA found that 93 percent of 18 to 25 year olds surveyed said they don't believe their current or previous partner has or had an STD. Although 93 percent were convinced their partners were STD-free, only one-third actually had discussions with their partners about sexually transmitted diseases.
Many of the young people surveyed in the ASHA study also said they do not use condoms on a regular basis.
Young people's tendency for blind trust coupled with their inconsistent condom usage might be a recipe for a national STD disaster.
"Chlamydia, genital warts and herpes are the most common STDs at UB," said Mancuso, "but that is true of anywhere that testing is done in the USA."
Some students said they consider these statistics when the situation calls for it.
"It's not something that I worry about all the time, but when the situation arises, people should not be irresponsible about it," said Dan Chappell, sophomore undecided major.
In one particular case, getting infected with an STD can be life altering and life threatening.
The Department of Health reports that one in every 200 young adults is HIV-positive and not even aware of it.
Health officials believe these statistics highlight the need for HIV testing and prevention.
"We want any student at risk now or in the past to get tested because HIV is an asymptomatic illness so you never know that you have the illness unless you get tested," said Mancuso.
Michael Hall has recently received license to use the Rapid HIV test called Oraquick.
"In just 20 minutes and (for) a $10 fee, you can know your STD status with two drops of blood," said Mancuso. "It is an amazing test and no other test on the market is better."
Mancuso encourages students to go to Michael Hall and get this test done because she believes knowledge and prevention are important in the eradication of these dangerous infections.
"I do outreach presentations to many classes, SA and RA groups," said Mancuso. "I review the signs and symptoms of STDs and how to perform safer sex.
Mancuso also does demonstrations on how to properly use different forms of birth control. She also participates in fairs in the Student Union that are based on education and prevention.
Although in the most highly afflicted group, some students said they are aware of the risks that accompany sexual activity.
"When you choose to be irresponsible about sex, you could end up hurting someone else in the long run," Tracy Hinman, sophomore communications major. "Prevention is so important to stop the spread of STDs."
Mancuso said there is one sure way to stay STD-free.
"The only 100 percent protection is total abstinence," she said.
Statistics show that many young adults are not only not abstinent, but in many cases are having unprotected sex with partners with whom they do not discuss sexual history and health.
Some consider protecting themselves from their man or woman of the hour an important step in STD prevention.
"I hope people make sure their partner's history doesn't come back to haunt them," said Chappell.
