Health Services
Sexually Transmitted InfectionsInformation and education regarding sexually transmitted infections (STI) is available at College Health Services and in brochures that have been placed across the campus. Testing and referrals are also available at the office, and all treatment performed by the Health Service staff is confidential. Rensselaer County Health Department provides an STI clinic. A sexual health clinic is also offered at the college each week classes are in session. For more information, contact College Health Services at (518) 629-7468 or healthservice@hvcc.edu. To assess your risk for contracting a sexually transmitted infection go to the link VH STD Risk Assessment. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONSSexually transmitted infections, as the name implies, are transmitted between sexual partners, not through the common use of doorknobs or toilet seats. Thousands of college students contract an STI each year. While both men and women can be left sterile from an STI, it is more likely to happen to women. It is important to note that an STI can be transmitted between partners during any type of sexual activity involving body-to-body contact. For example, genital herpes can be contracted during oral sex if one partner has a cold sore. It is also important to note that the odds of contracting an STI can be greatly reduced by using barrier protection such as condoms. A health care provider must make diagnosis. Most STIs can be successfully treated with antibiotics. A brief description of common STIs appears below: Gonorrhea (also known as "Clap" or "Drips") Some women may experience no symptoms. If symptoms are present though, they include painful urination, vaginal discharge and abdominal pain. Untreated gonorrhea in women, even if they have experienced no previous symptoms, can cause pelvic inflammatory disease and sterility. Lack of treatment in both men and women can lead to arthritis and heart disease. Syphilis (also known as "Lues") Therefore, it is essential that males communicate with their partners if they have been diagnosed with syphilis. Left untreated, sores eventually disappear, but the causative agent stays in the body and will resurface years later, causing heart disease and brain damage. Chlamydia (also known as Non-Specific Urethritis) Herpes Herpes usually begins with an itching or tingling. Blisters then develop. As the blisters break, the infected area becomes very painful. It is believed that a person with herpes can spread the disease to others even when sores are not present. It is important that people with herpes inform their sexual partners and take measures to prevent infecting someone else. Condyloma (Genital Warts) Genital warts are caused by a virus and can be transmitted to various parts of the body simply by improper hand washing. Some types of genital warts are believed to be associated with cervical cancer in women. Genital warts can be successfully removed, but the virus will continue to live in the body and can be transmitted without the presence of warts. For more information on STIs visit: |