The Emporia State Student Wellness Center will now offer a variety of free tests to students for sexually transmitted infections. 

Students will have access to urinary testing for gonorrhea and chlamydia and blood testing for syphilis and human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV), Heather McCullough, the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse at the center, told The Bulletin. If diagnosed with chlamydia or gonorrhea, the wellness center has treatment available for students. For syphilis and HIV, they consult with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to assist patients with treatment referrals. The Student Wellness Center also offers “education regarding safe sexual practices” to prevent the spread of these harmful infections, McCullough said. They offer contraceptives at a low price or sometimes have them available for free. If needed, the wellness center is also able to prescribe HIV prevention medications (PrEP).

To receive STI tests, students must first make an appointment with the Student Wellness Center. Students can schedule an appointment by calling (620) 341-5222 or online via the student wellness portal within Hornet 365. The appointment will determine what screenings are necessary. These office visits are not free and are billed to the student’s insurance. If a student is uninsured, they will have $10 charged to their student account.

“We are hoping that more students will be able to be screened if they don’t have to worry about the cost of the lab/insurance deductible,” McCullough said. 

Washington and Lee University reports that roughly one in four college students carry a sexually transmitted infection. McCullough notes that many sexually transmitted diseases infections are asymptomatic, so it is recommended that sexually active individuals get tested once a year or more frequently if they are intimate with more than one partner in a given year. Some STIs are treatable but incurable. Practicing safe sex is the best way to avoid these infections.

The ESU Student Wellness Center offers various other medical services, including but not limited to treatment of acute illnesses, physical exams, other laboratory tests and immunizations. On-campus students who pay campus privilege fees and are insured will not have to pay more than $10 per visit plus any laboratory or pharmacy fees.

Uninsured students can purchase insurance through United Healthcare-Student Resources if they meet eligibility requirements. Visit www.uhcsr.com for more information about United Healthcare-Student Resources.