Sexually transmitted infections: New guidelines for an old problem on the college campus

Approximately 80% of college-age adolescents are sexually active and at risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Over 4 million STIs occur in teenagers annually and young adults between the ages of 18 and 24, while adolescents 15 to 17 years of age have higher rates of STIs than any other age group in the United States. Thus, the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of STIs are a critical part of college health care. This article will discuss the epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of some of the most common STIs encountered in the college-age group, with an emphasis on new guidelines for treatment.