One in 10 college students will contract a sexually-transmitted disease this year, a health educator at Campus Health Services said.

Holly Avey, health educator, wants to reduce the amount of STDs contracted by UA students.

"There's a lot of general awareness, but there is still a constant need of more (information)," Avey said.

April has been designated as National STD Awareness month by the American Social Health Association. STDs infect at least 55 million Americans and are spreading at the rate of 12 million new cases each year, according to an ASHA press release.

"ASHA wants to try to make people more aware of STDs and change their behaviors so STDs can be stopped," said Barbara Barnett, supervisor for the National STD hotline.

Avey said, "Sex is a broad term to use for contracting STDs."

STDs such as herpes can also be transmitted skin to skin, not necessarily only while having sex.

The three most common STDs on college campuses are chlamydia, genital warts and genital herpes, she said.

With chlamydia, men may experience pain during urination and possibly a slight discharge of clear fluid from the penis. If detected early, this can be treated by medication. If not, it can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, which can cause sterility, Av ey said.

Genital warts can appear without other symptoms. Sometimes there is a cauliflower-like growth in the genital area, which is more obvious on men than women. The warts are caused by a virus, and there is no cure at this time, Avey said. Genital warts can be treated by freezing off the infected tissue.

Genital herpes, also a viral infection, involves painful blisters, and the breakout depends on each person. Although there are ways to treat genital herpes, there is no cure as of now, Avey said.

"The key to prevention is to do monthly self exams and get a yearly checkup at the doctor," she said.

Talking with a partner about sexual histories is important in combating the spread of STDs, Avey said.

Risk factors for contracting STDs include having sex under the influence of drugs or alcohol (because it inhibits decision making), having multiple partners, not knowing the sexual and drug history of partners, and not using protection, Avey said.

Chris Gibson, marketing senior, said, "I'm not really aware about a lot of STDs, I just know about gonorrhea and VD (venereal disease).

"I don't think there's enough promotion about STD awareness on campus," Gibson said.

Campus groups like Frisky Business and Contraception 101 present students with material to promote STD awareness, Avey said. These peer groups provide information to residence halls and Greek Life concerning safe sex.

Avey said that women who request contraception through the campus health center are required to attend a class provided by Contraception 101.

"A lot of attention is given to HIV, which is a deadly and important disease to talk about, but there are other diseases people are living with that are just as traumatic," Avey said. "Even if a person is diagnosed with an STD, it doesn't mean it's the en d of their life."

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What are UA student's thoughts on sexually transmitted diseases?

"Even if STD awareness classes were offered, I probably would be too lazy to go."
- Joshua Russell
media arts sophomore

"I think the only way people will be aware (of STDs) will be when they actually experience it themselves."
- Jennifer Giordano
education sophomore

"I think communication is important. If they don't want to talk about their sexual history, I'm not sure if I want to get involved with them."
- Noah Syroid
computer engineering senior

"Guys aren't too concerned about anything. Some guys feel immune and don't think about catching anything. It's the girls that have to worry about it."
- Chris Gibson
marketing senior

"I know that there is a lot out there (about STDs), maybe it's just me that's not aware."
- Holly Ly
business freshman