We’re so happy that over 150 people took advantage of ASHA’s free STI testing event on April 13th at the Green St. Arts Center. We believe that getting tested is incredibly important. By age 25, an estimated one in two sexually active young people in the U.S. will get an STI. STIs can be transmitted through any activity where there’s an exchange of semen, vaginal fluid, or blood (this includes oral, vaginal, and anal sex). The most common symptom of STIs is no symptoms at all. Using protection is a great way to decrease your risk for getting an STI, and getting tested is a great way to be sure about your status.
ASHA’s goal on this campus is to help everyone have healthy and safe sex lives. We think it’s important to know that Wesleyan students are vulnerable to contracting STIs. However, we regret that specific information about testing results was disclosed in the follow-up to the April 13th testing event. We want to assure the community that in the future ASHA will work hard to make sure that result information is not published in an inaccurate or inappropriate way.
We want to remind everyone that it’s a good idea to get tested once every six months—regardless of a lack of symptoms or use of protection. While you’re waiting for the next free testing event, you have several options. The Oasis Center in Middletown offers free HIV testing year-round by appointment, and the Davison Health Center on campus offers testing chargeable to your student account (test names will not appear on your billing statement). Remember the most common STIs can be treated and many are completely curable.
ASHA is working on getting more free testing events throughout the year. If you’re interested in helping with that, want to get involved with ASHA, or have any questions about safe sex, please email us anytime at: asha.wesleyan@gmail.com
Love,
Ari Tolman and Lena Solow
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