Royal Purple

Issue date: 11/28/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Rose Wolf

Reports of sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia and gonorrhea are on the rise, particularly among people ages 15-24, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Although the report numbers are going up, that doesn't necessarily mean that the number of new cases is rising, according to Dr. Linda Lamont, nurse specialist at the Ambrose Health Center.

"It may not be an actual rise, it may be an improvement in reporting techniques that actually are reflected in the [report]," Lamont said.

But regardless, STDs in young people continue to be a problem.

Lamont said that abstinence, condoms, knowing your partner and having a long-term monogamous relationship can help prevent the spread of STD's.

"I always encourage people to get tested prior to a relationship if they can," Lamont said.

Lamont said the health center does offer testing for both men and women for $18-19. Students can be tested for chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV, HPV, herpes and many more. Testing can be administrated through urine tests, and there is also a visual exam for lumps or bumps to see if someone might have an STD.

Some results come back within minutes, while others are mostly overnight and occasionally come back two or three days later. It all depends on which disease someone is being tested for.

"I think part of the luxury here is we're very confidential here … a fair amount of people are looking for that confidentiality so they don't have a bill sent to mom and dad," Lamont said.

Also available at the health center is a federal program for women from ages 15 all the way through age 40, called the Family Planning Waiver Program. This program pays for STD testing and students can apply for it at the health center.

Lamont said there are places in Madison and Milwaukee that reduce the price of testing for men.

Lamont said the reason in testing price differences between men and women is that women who have STD's are more likely to have fertility problems then men.

"For instance, chlamydia and gonorrhea: there is a potential if [women] have those diseases and they're not detected and get an infection ... [Infections can] scar the fallopian tubes and [cause] fertility problems later on," Dr. Lamont said. "It's the philosophy of keeping our children well and healthy."

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