NOTICE: All Campus Health services will be CLOSED on Monday, January 20, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

NOTICE: All Campus Health services will be REMOTE on Tuesday, January 21, due to anticipated inclement weather.

New for Spring 2025 - Introducing Mental Health Complete

Campus Health and Wellness is excited to announce the launch of Mental Health Complete, a virtual mental health care platform available at no additional cost to eligible students. Explore self-guided digital programs, coaching, therapy and psychiatry—all from the privacy of your own space. Learn how to register.

STI Testing

Because sexually transmitted infections (STIs) often show no symptoms, many of those who are infected don’t even know it, or they have mild signs that can be easily overlooked. The only way to know if you or a partner has an STI is to get tested.

STI testing, in contrast to GYT screening, is a service provided during a medical appointment, which is billed to your health insurance. To make an STI testing appointment, call 504-865-5255 or schedule via the Patient Portal.

Window Periods and Test Timing

If you have been exposed to an STI, there is a “window period” in which the infection is not yet detectable by testing, but it is still possible to transmit the infection to a partner. The window period for chlamydia and gonorrhea is 10 days and the window period for HIV is three months. If you receive STI testing during the window period, your test results may not be accurate. If you are concerned that you’ve been exposed to an STI, it’s best to schedule an STI testing appointment after you’ve exited the window period. If you’re unsure when is the appropriate time to be tested for a particular STI, it is best to consult a Health Center provider for guidance.

When is STI testing appropriate?

  • If you’re sexually active, it’s important to get tested on a regular basis, especially if you have more than one partner. Ask your Health Center provider to help you determine an appropriate testing frequency.
  • If you’ve had unprotected sex, have a new partner, or for any reason are worried you have been exposed to an STI
  • If you have symptoms such as rash, sores, bumps, itching, burning, pain, odor, discharge, and/or bleeding in your genital region
  • If you had an experience of sexual assault/sexual violence since your last STI screening**

** If you have experienced sexual assault/sexual violence, Get Help Now

 

STI Testing vs. GYT Screening Side-by-Side Comparison

STI Testing GYT Screening

Choose testing:

  • If you have symptoms such as a rash, sore, bumps, itching, burning, pain, odor, discharge, and/or bleeding in your genital region
  • If for some reason you are worried you have been exposed to an STI
  • Because GYT screening is only for HIV, gonorrhea and chlamydia, choose STI testing if you would like to be tested for additional STIs
  • If you have had a recent experience of sexual assault/sexual violence**

Choose screening:

  • If you show no symptoms of STIs
  • If you have had no recent exposure to an STI
  • If you would like a confidential screening for HIV, gonorrhea, and chlamydia only

Learn more about GYT

** If you have experienced sexual assault/sexual violence, Get Help Now

 

STI Resources

To learn more about common sexually transmitted infections, visit the links below from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Low-Cost STI Testing in the Community

Planned Parenthood: 504-897-9200
CrescentCare: 504-821-2601