According to the Falcon Health Center’s web page on sexual health, “about 19 million new cases of sexually transmitted infections are recorded each year, and nearly half of those cases are from 15-24 year-olds.”
The Wellness Connection, as part of its goal to support healthy lifestyles, offers free HIV testing to students. The service has been provided for over 10 years, Graduate Assistant Sarah Music said in an email.
Students can come in on the monthly scheduled days, or call the Wellness Connection to make an appointment.
Students need to bring a photo ID to get tested. Once the paperwork is completed, the test is administered. It consists of a gum swab and results are available within 30 minutes.
“It’s highly used,” said Liana Natochy from the Wellness Connection. “We have a lot of people who call ahead of time.”
Music was able to give an insight into how many people came in for testing.
“The number of people that sign up for HIV Testing varies everyday,” Music said. “We typically have 5-15 people with appointments, but again this varies each testing day.”
Due to technological limitations, the Wellness Center is not able to provide testing for other STIs.
“The Wellness Connection is not a medical facility and does not have the access to laboratory testing, therefore we are unable to provide further testing,” Music said. “There are many facilities within the community where STI testing can be completed.”
The Falcon Health Center is one site that offers testing for other STIs. A list of symptoms and treatments of different STIs can be found on their Sexual Health page, as well as different risk factors.
Music said other STI testing sites include the Wood County Community Health and Wellness Center and the Toledo-Lucas Health Department. Toledo-Lucas charges $30 for comprehensive STI testing.
The remaining scheduled testing dates this semester are March 1, March 15, April 5 and April 19. The testing will be conducted from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on those dates.
Music said appointments can be made by calling the Wellness Connection and walk-ins are accommodated as well.
For more information, call the Wellness Connection at (419) 372-9355 or visit their page on the University website for a list of free external testing sites. Those wishing to ask about how to reduce their risk for STIs can speak to HIV testing coordinator Danielle Van Fleet, (419) 383-6057.