Sexual Health

STD/STI Testing & Treatment

If you want to be tested and/or treated for a sexually transmitted disease/infection, Illinois State University students can contact the Student Health Service at 438-2778 to make an appointment. Testing and treatment is also available at the McLean County Health Department by calling 888-5435.

STD/STI Signs & Symptoms*

Unusual discharge from the penis or vagina
Pain in the pelvic area (below the stomach)
Burning or itching in or around the penis or vagina
Pain during urination
Pain during sexual intercourse
Frequent urination
Sores, bumps or blisters around the genitals, rectum or mouth

If you have any of these signs or symptoms, seek testing and treatment immediately. STD's will not go away by themselves. If left untreated, they could lead to more serious health problems such as damage to the reproductive organs and sterility.

*Note: Often, STD's don't produce any signs or symptoms for months or at all, or the symptoms may not be noticeable. If you have had unprotected sex even once, you may want to consider getting tested.

Protecting Yourself Against STD's

Wait to have sex until you and your partner are both ready and can discuss it openly and honestly.
About 15% of Illinois State University students have not had sex in the last year, and 39% did not have sex in the last 30 days.*
Have sex with only one uninfected partner who only has sex with you. About 68% of Illinois State University students had sex with only one partner or with no one in the last year.*
Talk to your partner about previous sexual partners.
Use a dental dam (latex square) for oral/vaginal or oral/anal sex to prevent the spread of STIs from the vagina or anus to the mouth, and vice versa.
Use latex condoms every time during anal, vaginal, or oral intercourse. It's not 100%, but condoms greatly reduce the risk for STIs The pill and other types of contraception do NOT protect against STIs.
Condoms, dental dams and water-based lubricants are available in the Student Health Service Pharmacy (SSB 293), Health Stop Resource Center (SSB 228) and the G-Spot (www.shs.ilstu.edu/HPO)

About 52% of Illinois State University students consistently use condoms during intercourse.*

* American College Health Association National College Health Assessment conducted at Illinois State University in Spring 2004, n=629.

For more information about sexual health and talking with your partner:

Disclaimer
Information contained on this Web site is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or emergency treatment. You should not use any information on this Web site to diagnose or develop a treatment plan for a health problem or disease without consulting a qualified health care provider. If you are in a life-threatening or emergency medical situation, seek medical assistance immediately. In the event of a medical emergency, call 911. Great care has been taken to review the accuracy of the information provided on this Web site. However, neither The Board of Trustees of Illinois State University nor any of its officers, agents, or employees shall be held responsible for errors or omissions in information contained in this Web site nor be held liable for any direct or indirect damages whatsoever resulting, in whole or in part, from any person’s use or reliance upon this Web site.