STI tests not all-inclusive

Herpes is not a part of the routine STD screening test. You HAVE to specifically request it.

The health center’s STI tests do not cover the two most prevalent STIs on the campus: human papilloma virus infection — more commonly known as genital warts — and genital herpes.

“People get tested for STIs and assume they were tested for everything out there,” said Tara Torchia, the health center’s coordinator for sexual health. “Most people assume you can be tested for everything ... but the most common STIs can’t be tested for.”

This news caught many students off guard.

“I’m surprised that you can’t test for herpes; I didn’t know that,” said Emile Stanley, a junior psychology major. “I didn’t think it mattered; I thought it could test for all of them.”

“I would assume that they test everything possible ... I would think [the health center] would put it as a priority to test,” said Amy Ravi, a junior biology major.

The article is quite lengthy, read on to learn more about why: