STI Testing Should be Greatly Expanded

By Broadside Staff Writer Sabra Hayes

Due to our current STI epidemic, a blood test should be required of all citizens over the age of 18, before they enter college. Many states require a blood test before marriage to check for STIs like HPV. This blood test would help notify those who may have an infection and not realize it, which would keep it from spreading. This test should strictly be used as a self-knowledge system and not as a means of alienation.

The reason for this law is evident in the recent studies that have linked oral sex to throat cancer. This link is the most common sexually transmitted infection, human papillomavirus virus. These strains of HPV are not only hazardous for women, but for men as well. HPV is one of the most widespread virus groups in the world to affect the skin and mucosal areas of the body. Over 80 types of HPV have been identified. Different types of the HPV strain are known to infect different parts of the body to include all areas covered by or mucosa such as the mouth, throat, tongue, tonsils, vagina, penis, and anus.

People who have had one to five oral sex partners in their lifetime have doubled their risk of developing throat cancer compared to those who have never engaged in this activity, according to the study. Infection with the virus occurs when these areas come into contact with a virus through a sexual act, such as oral sex. The danger does not lie in the action of oral sex, but in the person being unaware that he or she carries the HPV strain that could cause the cancer.

Over 20 million sexually active people are currently infected with the virus, but 50 to 75 percent of the sexually active population has come into contact with HPV without ever knowing.

Schools across the country have already begun requiring the HPV vaccine for any girl over the age of 12. This shot has been proven to save the lives of women by helping prevent cancer that is caused by HPV. However, there is still the issue of those who are infected while spreading the disease unknowingly and men who have been infected by the disease.
There is an HPV shot currently being made to help prevention for men.

The time has come for equality in regard to sex lives for those who have had the shot and for those who have not. Girls who may not have had sex are still going to be required to get the HPV shot to be in school according to Senate Bill 660 and House Bill 561. Therefore, in order to protect everyone, both males and females should be required to get an STI test once they turn 18. This will allow for those infected to be given treatment and an education on how to protect themselves and others from spreading the infection. Together with the shot, this requirement of an STI test will be the only chance to protect our bodies against these cancer-causing strains of HPV.

By creating a law to help STI prevention, the U.S. can begin to help control its increasing STI epidemic. Nearly one-fourth of the people infected with an STI are teenagers. Every year the government is estimated to spend at least 10 billion dollars on STIs, which does not include the costs for those infected with HIV. These costs will increase as the infections spread, which is why there needs to be an established law for every citizen to be tested, to protect themselves and others.

The role of this law in preventing and controlling STI and HIV would impact the entire country. People living with the diseases already would be notified and could get proper treatment; while public awareness of the testing would give a higher educated understanding of how to take care of one’s self and how to be more open minded about the diseases.

It is the duty of the U.S. Government to help protect its citizens from all types of attacks. The attack on our bodies from this virus needs be addressed by establishing a requirement for all citizens over the age of 18 to have a STI test. This would help control the HPV epidemic that is already plaguing our country and will also give out the knowledge on how to protect ourselves and others from this cancer causing STI. Together this proposal with the already developed HPV vaccine can save countless lives by educating and helping develop an understanding of these life taking STIs.