Testing options at Decker Student Health Services Center
Testing recommendations
The Decker Student Health Services Center (DSHSC) offers a broad range of services for sexual health. An important part of these services are devoted to testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
If you have symptoms
Make an appointment at the Decker Student Health Services Center (DSHSC) and get tested immediately. Schedule an appointment by going to the patient portal, select the clinic “Decker Student Health Services Center,” then the appointment reason that fits your symptoms best.
If you are without symptoms
- All sexually active adults and adolescents from age 13 to 64 should be tested at least once for HIV.
- If you have a vagina and you are younger than 25 years you should be tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia at least once a year. Those who have more than one partner in a year should consider getting tested more often.
- If you have a vagina, you are 25 years or older, and you have risk factors such as new or multiple sex partners, or a sex partner who has had an STI, you should be tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia at least once a year.
- If you have a penis and you are gay, bisexual, or have sex with other people with
penises you should:
- Get tested at least once a year for syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea. Those who have multiple or anonymous partners should be tested more frequently (e.g. every 3 to 6 months).
- Get tested at least once a year for HIV, and you may benefit from more frequent HIV testing (e.g., every 3 to 6 months).
- Anyone who engages in sexual behaviors that could place them at risk for infection or shares injection drug equipment should get tested for HIV at least once a year.
- People who have had oral or anal sex should talk with their healthcare provider about throat and rectal testing options.
- You can make an appointment for asymptomatic STI screening at the DSHSC by going to the patient portal, selecting the appointment reason “Sexually Transmitted Infection Without Symptoms – In-person Appointment.”
Should I consider making an appointment discuss pre-exposure HIV prophylaxis (PrEP)?
Each of the medical providers at the DSHSC are able to prescribe PrEP. It is medicine that reduces your chances of getting HIV from sex or injection drug use when you have a continuing risk of exposure to HIV.
The DSHSC recommends making an appointment to discuss PrEP if you engage in any of the following behaviors:
You have had anal or vaginal sex in the last six months AND
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- You have not consistently used a condom, OR
- You have been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection within the last six months, OR
- You have a sexual partner with HIV
You inject drugs AND
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- You have an injection partner with HIV, OR
- You share needles, syringes or other drug injection equipment
You have been prescribed post-exposure HIV prophylaxis (PEP) AND
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- You have continued risk behavior, OR
- You have used multiple courses of PEP
You wish to start PrEP even if none of these risk factors apply to you.
