With the new school year underway, new waves of young men and women have hit the Del Mar College walkways, eager to enjoy the college experience. Unfortunately for some, part of that experience is a painful one: sexually transmitted infections

Employees of the Women’s and Men’s Health Services of the Coastal Bend have been setting up a kiosk in the Harvin Center with informational pamphlets, condoms, and more, hoping to educate students regarding sexual health, and stop the spread of STIs.

Christina Bonner, Chief Operating Officer of WAMHS, encourages students to utilize the services offered by the clinics.

“Most of the time people qualify for all services we offer,” said Bonner. “Pregnancy tests, annual STI screenings, the full range of services.” 

WAMHS provides male and female birth control, as well as STI and pregnancy testing, the cost of which is based on a sliding scale determined by the applicant’s income.

“Generally they’re free,” Bonner said. “Typically if someone has to pay, it’s $20 to $25 or less.”

“Very affordable,” she added.

If a student should find themselves suffering from symptoms of an STI, or simply fear they may have one after an unprotected encounter, Bonner recommends they head into the clinic immediately, and refrain from all sexual contact until they’ve been tested, receive the results, and undergo treatment if there is an infection.

“Come get tested and abstain from intercourse until you get results,” Bonner stresses. “It’s very quick, we’ll get you results in a couple days.”

WAHMS offers partner treatment as well.

“We do partner treatment,” Bonner stated. “If they do test positive we can send partner treatment home with them.”

Bonner stated the clinic has seen an increase in cases, and the rates of gonorrhea and chlamydia are rising per 100,000 people. Nueces County ranks 10th highest in the state for both diseases and third highest for congenital syphilis, which is when a mother passes the infection to her baby during childbirth, something that is completely preventable with proper testing, treatment, and doctor visits.

“Come in and get tested,” Bonner said. “We can refer them wherever they need to go and confirm pregnancy or whatever they need us to.”

WAMHS stresses that practicing safe sex and getting tested and treated as soon as possible is key to reducing the rate. They also provide a wide range of services outside of the STI realm like annual exams, pap smears, birth control, and yeast infection treatment.

“No one knows what you’re here for and it’s always 100% confidential,” Bonner emphasized.

The Women’s and Men’s Health Services of the Coastal Bend has two locations in Corpus Christi: 4410 Dillon Lane, Suite 1; and 3536 Holly Road. The Dillon Loan clinic can be reached at 361-857-0101 and the Holly Road clinic at 361-855-9107. They also have a mobile health unit that goes to more rural areas of South Texas. Follow their Instagram @wamhs_ and website www.wamhs.org for the schedule.