Infectious Behavior: You Gave Me What?

When you bring home a one-night stand from the local bar, or even step barefoot into a dorm shower, you may be putting yourself at great physical risk.

So we spoke to doctors from several universities about sexually transmitted infections, sexual dysfunction, steroids, pregnancies and even pubic-hair removal. It wasn’t pleasant.

I. You gave me what?
Most college-student health centers spend lots of time screening patients for sexually transmitted infections, or STIs. Doctors say the number-one reason students schedule appointments is for Pap tests or pelvic exams. Their results might come as a surprise: You’re definitely carrying something, and that something is called HPV. Dr. Davis Smith, medical director of the student health center at Wesleyan University, says: “For college-aged students moderately sexually active - about two to three partners a year - the likelihood of exposure to an HPV (Human Papil-lomavirus) is 100 percent.” Ouch!

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