STD Testing
What’s the difference between STD and STI?
STD stands for sexually transmitted disease. STI stands for sexually transmitted infection. According to the American Social Health Association, the term disease implies that a client is experiencing clear symptoms and signs. Most common sexually transmitted viruses or bacteria do not have common signs or symptoms in the majority of infected people. Viruses or bacteria cause an infection that may or may not be classified as a disease. Sexual health experts suggest using the term STI; however, since our student population in general knows the term STD and is not yet aware of the term STI, we use STD in our printed documents and on our Web site. We continue to work on educating students about the terms when we work with them in person.
Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) testing is available by appointment at SHS. Students may request to see any medical provider in Medical Services, including the Women's Health Nurse Practitioner. The provider will determine whether the student has symptoms and discuss the range of testing options. Students may request tests for diseases or infections including, but not limited to:
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhea
- Hepatitis B and C
- Herpes
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)*
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
- Syphilis
- Trichomoniasis
Call 935-6666 for an appointment
*HIV is an STD of particular concern.
Options for HIV testing at Student Health Services:
- An appointment with a certified HIV specialist. You may elect to have a blood test as part of the Confidential HIV testing program sponsored by the Missouri Department of Health. The provider will record your name and take a blood sample and send it to the lab with an assigned number (no name attached. Your name will remain confidential and cannot be released without your official, written permission. All records of tests from this program are destroyed in two years.) You must return for your results in person in 2-3 weeks.
- An appointment with a medical provider. During the visit, you may request an HIV test. The doctor will order a blood test and send the blood to a lab in St. Louis. Results come back in 3 to 5 days. You must make another appointment to see the provider again and get your results in person. The test results are recorded in your medical chart. All medical charts are confidential. Information from a chart can be released ONLY with your official, written permission, which designates exactly what information is to be sent to whom. However, any positive HIV result is reported to the Department of Health.
