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Shenandoah University (SU) and the
Lord Fairfax Health District in Winchester, Va., are joining forces to support
April as STD Awareness Month. SU’s Wilkins Wellness Center offers free and
confidential STD testing three or four times a year. Ron Stickley, director of
health services at the wellness center, commented that April, as STD Awareness
Month, is an ideal time for one of these annual free testing offers. Stickley said
he does as much as he can around the campus to educate students on the
importance of sexual health through lectures, screenings, and e-mails. The free
screening will be held toward the end of the month and is a simple urine test,
which would normally cost approximately $150. Stickley emphasized that the test
is completely confidential and only the organization doing the testing and the
student know the result. He sees the results, but not the identity of the
person who took the test. Stickley credited the health department for its
willingness to set up an appointment for students who could not make the
testing on campus.
Dr. Charles Devine, director of the
health district, noted that recent data show an increase in the number of
reported chlamydia cases is in the area. He said that to prevent the increase
in the number of infections, the key is finding people with an STD and treating
them before they unknowingly spread their disease to others. Devine
acknowledged that even if a person does not notice STD symptoms, he/she could
still be infected. He commented that college students are not the only ones who
should be screened, as an increasing number of baby boomers are being diagnosed
with STDs. Devine believed that it is appropriate and proper for the health
district to make STD diagnosis and treatment easily available. He also wanted
individuals engaging in sexual activity to recognize that there are risks
involved as well as prevention and treatment solutions.
For
information about testing or to schedule an appointment with the health
district, call (540) 722–3470.
For
information on SU screenings, call (540) 665–4530, extension 191, or e-mail
kwalter@nvdaily.com.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
