College students who step foot into their educational institution's health center this semester might get a little bit more than an aspirin, a flu shot or even a supply of condoms.
"The Blue Banner," the University of North Carolina - Asheville, online news source recently reported that its Student Health Center had begun offering STD testing free of charge.
The service is now being provided as part of each student's regular health fee.
This complimentary sexually transmitted disease testing includes a check "for the main STDs such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, human immunodeficiency virus, syphilis, herpes and human papilloma virus.
" Since the service has just begun, only a handful of students thus far have taken advantage of it, but when Get Real, Get Tested, a statewide program sponsored through the Department of Public Health that promotes STD education and testing, came to the campus last month, "the health center said it tested between 50 and 60 students.
" Students who have availed themselves to the free STD testing have expressed peace of mind in knowing that they're free and clear of sexually transmitted diseases.
One student in particular stressed to the college news source that he "thinks there is a big difference between someone thinking they are fine and the actual feeling of having paperwork and tests that prove someone is free of STDs.
" While the testing is completely confidential, not every student on campus is going to want to walk into their student center, where friends and acquaintances might very well spot them, to undergo this important but sometimes embarrassing process.
Although long gone are the days when sexual topics were taboo in college classrooms and dorms, there's still a certain stigma that surrounds sexually transmitted diseases.
As another student cited in the article pointed out, "I believe factors that prevent students from getting tested run the gamut of being embarrassed to anxieties that they may have caught something and facing that reality.
" For those students who are leery of the onsite UNC - Asheville STD testing facility, another anonymous and affordable option exists that practically ensures they won't be recognized when they go in for the requisite blood work and urine testing.
The national leader in direct to consumer lab testing has joined forces with major labs across the nation to bring students and other individuals STD testing in a rapid, discreet and cost-effective way.
The service is especially geared to clients who are seeking testing for sexually transmitted diseases that is anonymous and confidential.
To take advantage of the service, college students order their tests online without any need to step foot in their campus health center or doctor's office.
They then visit the participating lab of their choosing at a convenient time and sit back and wait for the results to arrive.
Customers are given several options to obtain their test results.
They can call the STD testing provider directly to have their results read to them over the phone, or their results can also be obtained by logging in to their account to be viewed online.