Senior Mary Feeney knows the risks of sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV and AIDS, and she is doing something about it.
Feeney and a handful of other students are peer health educators, students who volunteer at the Amelia T. Wood Student Heath Center to educate their peers on topics such as sexually transmitted diseases.
"You can't just walk down the street and point out someone with AIDS," Feeney said. "It's kind of a hidden disease."
A recent study conducted by the Ball State health center found that 0.5 percent of students at Ball State University have tested positive for HIV, the rarest STD found on college campuses, Lisa Thomason, health educator, said.
Unfortunately, this number only covers the amount of students who have actually been tested for HIV, Thomason said.
"I fear there are more people out there who have HIV and don't know about it, than those who have it and know about it," she said.
Students can get tested for free every Tuesday at the Health Center and any other day for a fee.
The virus that causes AIDS is called human immunodeficiency virus, otherwise known as HIV. HIV primarily infects certain white blood cells that operate the immune system. Eventually, HIV can disable the immune system and lead to life-threatening illnesses, according to the American College Health Association.
CAUSES
HIV is transmitted through semen and pre-ejaculatory fluid, blood and blood products, vaginal fluids and breast milk. HIV is not transmitted through saliva, tears, sweat or urine, according to the American College Health Association. Kissing, touching, stroking and massage alone or with a partner pose little or no risk.
HIV has been transmitted in blood and blood products used in medical treatments. Health care workers who participate in the care of people with HIV infection are also at risk of acquiring HIV, the study said.
College students have grown up in a generation that has always had education on HIV and AIDS awareness, which Thomason said has both positive and negative affects.
"On the positive side, most students by now know the risk factors of the virus," she said. "They know you can't get it by hugging or sharing a glass. However, I have seen students who aren't afraid of it anymore because they think they are taking enough precautions."
The key way to prevent HIV is to go ahead and get tested, Thomason said.
PREVENTION
Abstaining from anal, vaginal and oral sexual intercourse provides 100 percent protection against HIV, according to the American College Health Association. Unprotected sex with just one or two partners has a greater risk of HIV transmission than safer sex with several partners.
The American College Health Association suggests the removal of alcohol and drugs from sexual activity. The use of alcohol and drugs can make communication difficult and blur people's judgments.
Even though using condoms does not provide 100 percent protection against transmitting HIV, condoms are highly effective, according to the American College Health Association.
The best way for students today to prevent HIV is to use protection and continue to get tested, Lori Gibson, Delaware County Registered Nurse, said.
"Some think ignorance is bliss," Gibson said. "If I'm not getting tested, then I don't have it."
Delaware County has also seen its share of HIV and AIDS. In a September 2004 study, 85 residents reported being HIV/AIDS positive, according to the Indiana State Department of Health.
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