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Media Credit: Michelle Arras

A bill aimed at stemming the spread of two of the most common sexually transmitted diseases could soon allow sex partners to receive treatment without ever being diagnosed.

Medications treating chlamydia and gonorrhea, STDs that are easily treated if detected, would be available to the partners of those diagnosed with the diseases if the "Expedited Partner Therapy" bill passes through the Illinois Legislature.

The program was recommended by the Centers for Disease Control as a way to reduce the rates of infection. In Jackson County, 411 cases of Chlamydia and 96 cases of gonorrhea were reported in 2006, said Kathy O'Laughlin, representative with the Jackson County Department of Public Health.

She said people ages 20 to 25 have the highest risk of infection for STDs, and should focus on a variety of ways to protect themselves.

"Young people think STDs are something they don't need to worry about, but this is a young people's disease," O'Laughlin said.

Christy Hamilton, coordinator of sexual health, relationship violence and sexual assault programs at the Wellness Center, said young people should start by getting tested.

Common symptoms for chlamydia and gonorrhea include pain, urination discomfort and visible outbreak of sores, bumps and rashes, Hamilton said. She said students who want to get tested can call the Health Center to set up an appointment.

O'Laughlin said the Jackson Health Department also provides low-cost testing, which includes a lab test and medication. She said the lab results takes about a week to receive and prices range from $15 to $50, depending on one's income. The price includes a $20 dose of medication needed for treatment.

She said the screening takes approximately 30 minutes, which for males consists of a urine sample and for females a swab sample from the cervix.

Alena Poe, a senior from Olympia Fields studying biological sciences, said it is important for partners to discuss STDs because if a partner has an STD, letting their partner know can limit its spread.

"If you are going to be intimate with someone, it's your responsibility to tell your partner and take the necessary precautions," Poe said.

AIDS Foundation of Chicago said the bill would provide a method of treatment called "patient-delivered partner therapy," allowing providers give patients medication or prescriptions and information to give to their sex partner or partners.

"It's morally right to take proper actions before you ruin someone's life," Poe said.

Laura Dale, a senior from Petersburg studying management, said looking back on her freshman year she realized she did not have a sense of who she really was and it showed in some of the decisions she made.

"I think when you are young, you rely on your friends and get caught up in peer pressure," Dale said. "Friends help make your opinions for you."

Dale said she was always aware of issues about STDs through health classes and the media, but the way information is taught should be more personal.

"I remember in one of my health classes having a speaker talk about STDs," Dale said. "That hit me more than any commercial on TV."

Maria Capati can be reached at 536-3311 ext. 254 or mariac@siu.edu.

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