<\/a>Demond Lewis
\n<\/strong>MC Contributor\/Staff<\/em><\/p>\n

HIV is a disease many people tend to focus on when it comes to STDs and STIs. However, there are other infections and diseases on college campuses that are just as harmful. Dr. Samuel Jones Jr., a practicing physician at the Health Center at Jackson State University, described these infections.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe most common STI probably among college aged students is chlamydia. The reason why it is getting to be so common is because most persons don\u2019t have symptoms. Males typically don\u2019t have symptoms. Women who get it, maybe weeks after, will develop symptoms. The symptoms may go away, but the infection continues to do damage to the internal organs of the lady,\u201d said Jones.<\/p>\n

According to the Department of Health, the symptoms of chlamydia include a thick, cloudy discharge from the penis or vagina, painful bowel movements, and a burning sensation when urinating.<\/p>\n

Jones added, \u201cThere are other STDs that are perhaps, to some degree, more serious long-term. HIV, but luckily it\u2019s not common. But again, the risk is there, and there are a number of persons that manage to get exposed and become infected; and that requires a great deal of care.\u201d<\/p>\n

Students who feel that they are at risk of being infected can visit the Health Clinic on the JSU campus.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe do have in conjunction with the health department a grant, and they allow us to do free chlamydia and gonorrhea testing on urine. Although it\u2019s not quite as superior as the direct swab, it still is very adequate for a massive screening. We have it, and it\u2019s free. On this campus, that has been very helpful in helping us to detect infections that we otherwise would not have been likely to detect,\u201d said Jones.<\/p>\n

Aleia Buford, a junior biology\/pre-physical therapy major from Greenwood, Miss., says that it is all about being responsible.<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel like if you\u2019re going to be sexually active, you should use protection, because you don\u2019t know who everybody has been with. That prevents STDs,\u201d said Buford.<\/p>\n

Buford added, \u201cSometimes, depending on what kind of STD you get, it can be cured. Sometimes it can\u2019t, you\u2019re just stuck with it for life. I feel like everybody should just be aware of the symptoms of different STDs and how it can be transmitted.<\/p>\n

Katie Hunt, a senior interdisciplinary studies major from Atlanta, Ga., said she felt that it is about being honest with your sex partner.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo be honest, when you\u2019re dealing with somebody and you know you\u2019re going to be active, that\u2019s definitely a question you should ask. That\u2019s nothing you should be ashamed of. If you have something, you have to let that person know, because it\u2019s not fair to them,\u201d said Hunt.<\/p>\n

Hunt added, \u201cIf you do get it, it\u2019s nothing to be ashamed of. It\u2019s yours now, so you have to take care of yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n

For more questions about STDs, STIs, or any other illnesses, students can visit the Health Center located across from the Lee E. Williams Athletics and Assembly Center or call 601-979-2260. They are open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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