{"id":1750,"date":"2013-02-15T17:37:03","date_gmt":"2013-02-15T17:37:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sites.jsums.edu\/jsuflash\/?p=1750"},"modified":"2013-02-15T17:37:03","modified_gmt":"2013-02-15T17:37:03","slug":"valentines-day-advice-if-its-not-on-its-not-on","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.jsums.edu\/theflash\/index.php\/2013\/02\/15\/valentines-day-advice-if-its-not-on-its-not-on\/","title":{"rendered":"Valentine\u2019s Day advice: \u2018If it\u2019s not on, it\u2019s not on\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>
Health<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Kachelle Pratcher<\/strong>
\nBlue & White Flash \/ Staff Writer<\/strong><\/p>\n

Valentine\u2019s Day is the most talked about holiday on a college campus simply because it\u2019s a day to show affection for a significant other in a special way. Girls and guys around the world are buying gifts and making reservations for that perfect night out.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho doesn\u2019t love Valentine\u2019s Day? I am able to let my boyfriend know how much I care about him and we always have a wonderful day planned,\u201d said freshman chemistry major Mechelle Jones from Detroit, Mich.<\/p>\n

With all the love going around and romantic dates, don\u2019t forget to practice safe sex with your loved ones.<\/p>\n

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 19 million new sexually transmitted infections occur each year around this time.<\/p>\n

Also according to the Institute of Medicine, five of the top 10 most frequently reported infectious diseases in the United States are sexually transmitted. Many of these STD\u2019s, include HIV\/AIDS, herpes, chlamydia and gonorrhea.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo me Valentine\u2019s Day is just another day. Young people must continue to practice safe sex habits. You can express your affection for someone while being safe,\u201d said junior accounting major Dontrell Banks from McComb, Miss.<\/p>\n

Being romantic is a must on this wonderful day but you have to think smart because one mistake can result in a STI transmission. Instead of thinking why you can\u2019t showcase your romance, think of planning a day that will ensure that both of you are prepared.<\/p>\n

\u201cBesides the fact that you can catch STI\u2019s anytime of the year, why would you trust someone with your health just because it\u2019s Valentine\u2019s Day. I don\u2019t get it — think smart people,\u201d said sophomore graphic design major Tonya Fields from Jackson, Miss.<\/p>\n

While shopping for those perfect gifts, include condoms on the list. Talk with your partner and examine the seriousness of catching a STI or becoming pregnant. There is nothing romantic about catching a STI from someone you love. Love responsibly and protect your sexual health.<\/p>\n

Here are a few safety tips from the jeanhailes.org health website:
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0While the best way to avoid an STI is to avoid sex, you can improve your safety by always using a condom and having regular STI tests.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0You can catch an STI at any age \u2013 you\u2019re never too young or too old to practice safer sex.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Condoms are not just for stopping pregnancy \u2013 they are also the best way to protect against STIs.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0STIs don\u2019t discriminate \u2013 anyone can be at risk.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Follow the \u2018no condom, no sex\u2019 rule if you\u2019re starting a new relationship.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Practice what to say to your partner about using a condom and remember it\u2019s okay to tell your partner: \u201cno condom, no sex\u201d or \u201cif it\u2019s not on, it\u2019s not on.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Kachelle Pratcher Blue & White Flash \/ Staff Writer Valentine\u2019s Day is the most talked about holiday on a college campus simply because it\u2019s a day to show affection for a significant other in a special way. Girls and guys around the world are buying gifts and making reservations for that perfect night out. \u201cWho […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-1750","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-variety"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.jsums.edu\/theflash\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1750","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.jsums.edu\/theflash\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.jsums.edu\/theflash\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.jsums.edu\/theflash\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.jsums.edu\/theflash\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1750"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sites.jsums.edu\/theflash\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1750\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.jsums.edu\/theflash\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1750"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.jsums.edu\/theflash\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1750"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.jsums.edu\/theflash\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1750"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}