<p>Hypothetical question, because I don't think i have anything...but do a lot of people get tested by health services in college? i feel like eventually I will want to, because it's really cheap and my parents won't have to know. But I don't want to be the only one that does this...I know that's pretty immature, but it is what it is.</p>
<p>It’s perfectly normal to do it in college. Many people did it in my high school (as we had a clinic in ours) and it wasn’t seen as weird or anything. It’s your health. Who cares if you’re the only one that does it? You’re being smart.</p>
<p>There is a free test you do yourself that you can order online from Johns Hopkins Hospital. It’s [I</a> Want The Kit](<a href=“http://www.iwantthekit.org%5DI”>http://www.iwantthekit.org).</p>
<p>I’m from Vt, so I can’t, but thank you anyway!</p>
<p>I am sorry. I didn’t realize it was limited to certain states.</p>
<p>College clinics should offer testing services for free or at reduced costs. Everything would be confidential and could be part of an annual physical. When you are old like me, they ask whether you have been with mulitple partners. I always figured that was to determine whether they should test for STDs. It is prudent to get tested.</p>
<p>No one would know except yourself, so it really doesn’t matter anyway.</p>
<p>But either way, I actually know a handful of couples that actually did the mature thing and went and got tested together before having sexual contact.
IMO, it’s surprisingly mature for someone so young to do such a thing, and very smart too.</p>
<p>Yeah, me and my boyfriend were one of those couples Johnson181. I was one of the few out of my friends who have ever even been tested for STDs. I think it’s something vital when you’re sexually active.</p>
<p>thanks for the advice. I think it’s a really smart idea too, and will just leave me with one less thing to be stressed about at school.</p>
<p>Exactly – get tested and you’ll be less stressed. There’s absolutely no shame in it if you’re sexually active.</p>
<p>I’m the same, I won’t even consider sexual activity without test results in hand first-- for both of us. It’s nice to have that peace of mind. There are way too many STDs which don’t necessarily show any symptoms for several months and are still contagious in that time-- did you all know that? You really have NO way of knowing if your new friend is clean without actually testing. </p>
<p>I’ve never had it done at school though, I’ve only been tested once and it was at my regular woman doctor. My parents didn’t find out. It’s not a secret anyway, but it came up recently and my mom hadn’t had any idea. If you’re comfortable going at school I don’t see why not. When swabs are involved I prefer a doctor I am more familiar with, personally. :-P</p>
<p>I believe at the college I’m going to, they do everything through blood/urine tests</p>
<p>Go for it. Even if you don’t think there is a chance you have something, if you are sexually active, have it done on a regular basis. My college didn’t charge me, and I even got PE credit for going every semester.</p>
<p>It sucks to think about it happening, but even those in relationships can get STD’s if cheating occurs. Happened to a friend of mine, which is why I keep up the habit.</p>