The Red and Black

Issue date: 3/9/09 Section: Opinions

SAMANTHA SHELTON [Click to enlarge]

As students venture south for the upcoming break, they should take the proper protection on their travels. Sunscreen for the depleting ozone layer, bottled water to counter copious alcohol consumption and assorted latex for ... well, you know.

Although most of our generation likes to hide behind the idea of "What happens on Spring Break stays there," a sexual exploit could leave you with a souvenir you can't get rid of.

It's a touchy subject, literally. The facts are that most sexually transmitted diseases have accompanying antibiotics that offer a complete cure.

Well that's good news. And latex condoms are generally effective in preventing the transmission of STDs, including HIV. But there is always a chance that something can cross the barrier, and one STD in particular can't be "covered" completely - Herpes.

Although there are STDs that can cause fatality, herpes remains the highest risk of a one night stand because condoms can't offer you the 99 percent promised prevention like they do for pregnancy, HIV and other STDs. The possibility of a sore being outside the protective zone of latex is extremely high, but that's not the scariest part; it gets worse.

To avoid Googling statistics, I asked the medical professionals at the University Health Center and received some truly disturbing facts. Eight out of 10 Americans have Herpes simplex 1, generally labeled as cold sores or fever blisters, and some carriers never have an outbreak but can still transfer the disease.

Now this news should not only disturb serial makeout bandits, but everyone engaging in any oral activities without proper protection.

Yes, you can get the simplex 1 virus on your unmentionables. Scary, right?

It gets worse. When it comes to Herpes simplex 2, genital herpes, the average of American women carrying the virus is one out of four, and American men is one out of five.

As Dane Cook suggests, "Let's play a little game, it's called 'one out of four,' look around."

One preemptive measure people foolishly take is avoiding partners who have distinguishable maladies. Seems simple enough, except that 70 percent of transmissions of the virus, Herpes simplex 2, occur when the infected party had no visible symptoms!

After the doctor at the UHC finished explaining the facts, I immediately went downstairs to the lab and had blood drawn.

I'm not promiscuous and I didn't have any symptoms, but since I'm not the Holy Mother, I had to make sure. After two vials of blood and a $35 charge, I received an e-mail from the Health Center three days later that caused a big sigh of relief.

Ignorance is bliss. If you aren't experiencing symptoms you might have the idea that if it's not broke … don't test it.

Well, if you want to continue living in that bubble, that's your choice. Just be careful who you invite into your bubble because there's a good chance you'll be sharing more than blissful ignorance.

So just like you and your partner are smart enough not to rely on the "pull and pray" method to prevent unwanted pregnancy, you must also recognize that the "lesion avoidance" technique doesn't guarantee protection.

Even when you ask a potential partner if they have any STDs, and they answer truthfully, studies found 80 to 90 percent of people carrying the Herpes simplex 2 virus haven't been diagnosed. The only way to be positive is adding STD testing to your pre-Spring Break regimen.

I understand in these tough economic times, shelling out money for blood work isn't as appealing as a new pair of sunglasses or a bikini, but this is your health and the health of others - things you never should be frugal with.

And for all of you who are sexually active, reading this article and thinking, "I know I'm clean," then what's the harm in being absolutely sure?

While enduring the midterms prior to Spring Break, wouldn't it be nice to take one test you know you're going to pass?

- Samantha Shelton is a junior from Auburn majoring in newspapers. She wishes everyone a fun and safe Spring Break.

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