Over half of Kingston University students have never tested for sexually transmitted diseases or infections, a River Survey has found.
Many students reported that they had not tested because they were in long-term relationships with someone who had been tested prior, or assumed that their partner had already been tested.
“It’s hard to want to ask your partner about their sex life before you, even from a health standpoint, because it’s such a vulnerable thing and you want to be the only one for your partner,” an anonymous student said.
“It’s silly, but your ego and protecting your feelings often can outweigh your health concerns. Being given an STD from your partner that they had contracted from someone else would feel violating and serves as a reminder that you’re not the first,” another student added.
Over 40% of students reported that they do not ask new partners if they have been tested, which may cause complications as many sexually transmitted diseases and infections can be passed on even if protections such as condoms are used.
Herpes, a non-curable virus, can be transmitted even with condoms, as they don’t always cover the area of infection. Similarly, HPV, a virus linked to a high risk of developing certain cancers, can also be transmitted for the same reason.
“I used to feel dirty because of having herpes, I wouldn’t let anyone touch me and I couldn’t touch myself,” a KU student said.
“I had to go to a health clinic in my hometown for counselling to help deal with living with an STD. I feel differently about it now and I know how common it is,” the student added.
A third of the students who do get tested only do so when there is ‘cause for concern’, meaning that they are already showing symptoms of possible infection.
Most infections do not pose a high risk to your general health if treated quickly, meaning it is important to test regularly and after each partner, both for your health and the health of those who you may need to trace back to.
“It’s a hassle dealing with flare-ups, but I just take a pill every day and have cream to relieve the pain,” a student living with the Herpes virus said.
According to Kingston Health Centre, more than 50% of HIV cases are diagnosed late which makes the condition more difficult to treat effectively.
Despite low test rates, over 85% of students reported knowing how to get tested for possible infections and diseases, naming services such as Kingston’s Wolverton Sexual Health Clinic and free at-home kits.
It is important to ask new partners about their testing history so appropriate precautions can be implemented and your health monitored. Whilst protections like condoms will protect from sexually transmitted infections such as Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea, which are the most common infections, this cannot be a replacement for vigilance and testing.
For free, discrete testing, go to www.shl.uk (Sexual Health London, an NHS service) or a local sexual health clinic.
Fin Doubleday
Phil Taylor
Hedda Vrabel