By Sarah McElroy, Nurse Practitioner

Spring break is rapidly approaching with most schools and universities having a week off from classes in March or April. For college students this usually means a trip to somewhere warm with beaches in Florida filling up with spring breakers. Keeping yourself safe means something entirely different this year so here are some tips from your TBD healthcare team:

Before: Know your STI Status

Before you go, we’re not just talking about your COVID status, but your STI status. Taking a quick at-home STI test before you go can make your spring break more enjoyable knowing you are not sharing more than love. Know before you go with our at-home testing kits which can test for a range of infections from gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis which are the three most common infections and in most patients cause zero symptoms. Or if you’re looking for more coverage our 5-panel or 9 panel tests have you covered for more (HIV, syphilis, herpes and mycoplasma genitalium).

TBD Recommends: Take our sexual health questionnaire

During: Condoms, Consent, and Cluing In

Condoms aren’t just to prevent pregnancy, they protect against sexually transmitted infections. We encourage you to use condoms and dental dams to reduce your risk of contracting an STI while enjoying yourself. If you only have condoms, it’s easy to make a dental dam with just a pair of scissors.

Consent is always king (or queen) and making sure your partner is able to give the okay to continue with sexual activity is important. Remember- consent can be revoked at any point so talking with your partner(s) about what they want and don’t want is important for consent and pleasure.

Cluing in a friend to your whereabouts can also be helpful for safety: in case the worst happens. A friend being aware of what your plans are including who you’re with, where you’re meeting them and when you plan to be back can ensure you get home safe.

After Care: Check Yourself Out

Sometimes, life doesn’t always go as planned- condoms break, the heat of the moment takes us a little quicker than we realize and for those needs TBD has you covered- our quick at-home testing can put your mind at ease for those unplanned situations. Ordering an at home STI kit is easy and treatment can be just as simple. Our health care team is here to help with any unexpected positive results from the comfort of your couch.

This article provides information about sexual health, healthcare and/or related subjects. The blog content and any linked materials herein are not intended to be, and should not be construed as a substitute for, medical or healthcare advice, diagnosis or treatment. Any reader or person with a medical concern should consult with an appropriately-licensed physician or other healthcare provider. This blog is provided purely for informational purposes. The views expressed herein are not sponsored by and do not represent the opinions of TBD Health Inc.