The Student Health and Wellness Center is joining other college campuses in raising STD awareness through the GYT: Get Yourself Tested campaign. Get Yourself Tested is a youthful, empowering social movement to encourage young people to get tested and treated for STDs and HIV. GYT increases awareness about STDs and how to prevent them, links young people to STD testing services, and promotes a more open dialogue with partners and health care providers.

Sexually transmitted diseases are overwhelmingly prevalent among young people. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that half of the nearly 20 million new STD cases each year occur among those between the ages of 15 to 24. Most STDs can be easily diagnosed and managed with the right treatment. If left untreated, however, STDs can cause several health complications. STDs such as chlamydia and gonorrhea, for example, are major causes of infertility among women. The problem is that most STDs do not show any signs and/or symptoms when a person becomes infected. This makes testing for STDs all the more important not only to prevent the development of serious health problems from untreated STDs but also to prevent the spread of infection.

Our mission at the Student Health and Wellness Center is to promote lifelong health and wellness to our student population. Talk to your healthcare provider to learn more about GYT, STDs and STD testing. Take charge of your own sexual health. Know your risk and your status. Get yourself talking, and Get Yourself Tested today. #GYTatIIT