Sexual Health

• Chlamydia is a common bacterial STI caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis.
• It can infect the urethra, cervix, rectum, throat, and occasionally the eyes. 
• Chlamydia can lead to serious complications if left untreated, such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and infertility.

Symptoms:

• Symptoms may include abnormal discharge, burning sensation during urination, and abdominal pain.

Testing:

• Testing for Chlamydia requires a fluid sample from the infected part of the body:
  • Genitals: urine sample, vaginal swab, or rectal swab
  • Mouth or throat: throat swab
• Emmons medical staff will typically take a urine sample to test for chlamydia, but may advise a rectal or throat swab based on risk factors
• Testing is recommended 14-21 days after exposure, although symptoms may not appear for several weeks or months.

Treatment:

• Antibiotics, taken by mouth. Emmons medical staff can dispense antibiotics from Emmons or send a prescription to a local pharmacy.

• Gonorrhea is a bacterial STI caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
• It primarily infects the urethra, cervix, rectum, and throat.
• Left untreated, gonorrhea can lead to serious complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and infertility.

Symptoms:

• Symptoms may include abnormal discharge, painful urination, and pelvic pain.

Testing:

• Testing for gonorrhea requires a fluid sample from the infected part of the body:
  • Genitals are screened with a urine sample
  • Mouth or throat are screened with a throat swab
• Emmons medical staff will typically take a urine sample to test for gonorrhea, but may advise a rectal or throat swab based on risk factors
• Testing is recommended 2 to 30 days after exposure, although symptoms may not appear for several weeks.

Treatment:

• Antibiotics, via injection and by mouth. Emmons medical staff will be able to administer antibiotics or send a prescription to a local pharmacy.

• Syphilis is a bacterial STI caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum.
• Syphilis can be transmitted through sexual contact, including oral and anal sex, as well as from mother to child during pregnancy.

Symptoms:

• It progresses through stages: primary (painless sores), secondary (skin rash, flu-like symptoms), latent (asymptomatic), and tertiary (serious complications affecting the heart, brain, and other organs).

Testing:

• Testing for Syphilis is recommended 10 to 90 days after exposure 
• To test for Syphilis, Emmons medical staff will draw a small blood sample.

Treatment:

• Emmons medical staff will refer you for treatment. Treatment usually consists of an injection of the antibiotic Penicillin.

Rates of HIV among college students are on the rise. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a viral STI that attacks the immune system, specifically CD4 cells (T cells), weakening the body's ability to fight infections. HIV is primarily transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse, sharing needles, or from mother to child during childbirth or breastfeeding. Men who have sex with men, especially Black and Latino men, are at the highest risk of contracting HIV through sexual contact. Symptoms of HIV may not appear for years, but without treatment, it can progress to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

To prevent HIV infection, Emmons can prescribe PrEP and/or PEP (medication will be sent to your pharmacy). 

PrEP:

• A daily medication that reduces the risk of HIV infection.
• Before starting PrEP, you will complete lab work that will ensure it is safe for you to start the medication, and you will complete lab work at Emmons every three months for monitoring.

PEP:

• A short-term medication regimen taken after potential exposure to HIV, to reduce the risk of HIV infection when administered promptly.

The human papillomavirus (HPV), a common virus that can be passed from one person to another during sex. There are many types of HPV. Some HPV types can cause changes on your cervix that can lead to cervical cancer over time, while other types can cause genital or skin warts. HPV can also cause certain throat and anal cancers. Most people will have HPV at some time or another without realizing it! HPV is common and usually goes away on its own without symptoms.

HPV Vaccine

• Emmons offers the HPV vaccine (Gardisil 9) which protects against 9 strings of HPV.
• One study found a 90% reduction in cervical cancer among people who had been vaccinated against HPV.
• The vaccine is administered in 2-3 doses over multiple visits.
• Anyone can get it, not just those with a cervix.

Cervical Cancer

• Cervical cancer is cancer that starts in the cells of the cervix. It usually develops slowly over time.
• Before cancer appears in the cervix, the cells of the cervix go through changes known as dysplasia, in which abnormal cells begin to appear in the cervical tissue.
• Over time, if not removed, the abnormal cells may become cancer cells and start to grow and spread.

Pap Smears

• Pap smears are routine screenings for cervical cancer. They are important preventative care for everyone who has a cervix.
• Pap smears are recommended at age 21-30, every 3 years; after age 30, every 5 years (abnormal results are monitored more often).
• Emmons medical staff use a speculum to gently open the vagina and swab the cervix. The swab is then processed at a lab.
• Your first pap smear might be a little nerve-wracking! Knowing what to expect can help you feel more comfortable before your visit.
  • You will be asked to undress from the waist down and to lay down on an exam table with your legs propped up.
  • The Emmons medical staff will gently insert a speculum, which is made of metal or plastic, into your vagina. This is so they can see your cervix. It can help to breathe deeply, focusing on the exhale and on relaxing your muscles. It should not be painful, but you may experience discomfort. 
  • You can ask the Emmons Medical Staff to explain each step to you as it is happening!
  • Emmons Medical Staff will then use a small swab to collect a sample of your cervical cells. Sometimes there is some pinching or discomfort, but it is over quickly. Some people experience mild cramping or spotting afterward.
  • The sample is sent to the lab to process. Test results will be disclosed to you by Emmons Medical staff via phone call or secure message. That’s it!