SEXUAL ASSAULT
If you have been sexually assaulted, please seek care at the hospital. If you feel you are in danger, call 911 immediately.
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS
Falcon Health Center can perform a variety of screens for sexually transmitted infections, including Syphilis, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, and Herpes.
Below is more detail on several common sexually transmitted infections.
Candidiasis
A fungal infection that arises from the normal flora of the skin and vagina. Some do not consider it an STI, but it can be passed between partners.
| Female Symptoms: | redness, swelling, itching of clitoris, labia, vagina; cheesy vaginal discharge. |
| Male Symptoms: | inflammation of urethra and skin around scrotum; surface lesions on penis. |
| Treatment: | antifungal agents (oral or topical), many are available over the counter. |
Crabs/Pubic Lice
A parasitic infection transmitted through sexual contact, or sharing of clothes, bed, or bedding of an infected person.
| Symptoms: | severe itching of the pubic area. Both the lice and the eggs are visible to the naked eye. It is possible for the infection to spread to other hairy parts of the body. |
| Treatment: | over the counter lice-killing shampoos and lotions. |
Chlamydia
A bacterial infection transmitted through sexual intercourse. Chlamydia is largely asymptomatic, causing a need for regular screening. If symptoms do appear, it is usually within two weeks after the exposure.
| Female Symptoms: | vaginal discharge, burning urination, abdominal pain, bleeding between periods, vaginal irritation. |
| Male Symptoms: | penile discharge, burning urination. |
| Treatment: | prescription antibiotics. All sexual partners need treatment, even if their testing is negative. |
Genital Herpes
Caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus being passed between partners through sexual contact or even kissing.
| Symptoms: | small blisters that eventually ulcerate, inflammation of the urethra; headache, fatigue, muscle weakness. Herpes moves into a latent stage of varying duration 3-4 weeks after infection. The symptoms return periodically throughout the year. It is common that most people do not present symptoms. |
| Treatment: | Because Herpes is a viral infection, there is no cure. However, antiviral drugs can suppress symptoms. |
Gonorrhea
A bacterial infection transmitted by vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Symptoms usually appear within 1-10 days after exposure. Untreated Gonorrhea can cause sterility in men and women.
| Female Symptoms: | vaginal or urethral discharge, rectal bleeding, fever, low abdominal pain, rectal infection with itching and discharge, painful urination. Most women do not show symptoms. |
| Male Symptoms: | burning urination, opaque urethral discharge, rectal infection with itching and discharge. |
| Treatment: | prescription antibiotics. |
HIV/AIDS
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
HIV – is the virus that causes AIDS. People who have HIV may or may not get AIDS.
AIDS is a disease characterized by the severe weakening of the immune system. HIV is transmitted through contact between specific body fluids (blood, semen, vaginal fluid) of an infected person with the broken skin or same specific body fluids of another.
| Symptoms: | rapid weight loss, dry cough, fever, profound fatigue, swollen lymph glands, pneumonia, memory loss, and depression. None of these symptoms are reliable for knowing whether or not you have HIV or AIDS. A test is the only way to know for certain if you have the virus. |
| Treatment: | The rapid mutating nature of the virus requires different forms of treatment as the strain progresses. Antiviral treatment can control the progression of HIV to AIDS, but there is no definite cure. Because HIV causes a breakdown of the immune system, there is a much higher chance of contracting secondary infections. These infections must also be treated. |
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
HPV is also known as Genital Warts or Condyloma Acuminata. It is a viral infection that is transmitted through skin to skin contact.
| Symptoms: | growths or bumps that appear on the genital area of men and women. Often there is no visual evidence of warts, but a pap smear can show if there is an abnormality. Symptoms may take months or years to appear. |
| Treatment: | A prescription cream which helps your immune system get rid of visible warts. Sometimes a specific chemical applied by your healthcare provider is used to dissolve warts. Some types of HPV can cause precancerous or cancerous conditions of the cervix, vulva, penis, or anus. Annual pap smears in women are key in detecting any changes that may be related to HPV. |
| Vaccine: | The Falcon Health Center offers the Gardasil vaccine to help protect against diseases caused by HPV. Gardasil is for girls and women 9-26 years of age. The vaccine does not substitute for routine cervical cancer screenings. Three doses of the vaccine are needed. For more information about Gardasil, go to www.gardasil.com. |
Scabies
A parasitic infection transmitted primarily through sexual contact, but also contact with infected skin, sheets, towels, bedding, and furniture. Symptoms may not appear until one month after contact, but can still be spread to others.
| Symptoms: | small red bumps where females have burrowed into skin to lay eggs; intense itching usually in the genital area, between fingers, on wrists, elbows, and lower abdomen. |
| Treatment: | topical pesticides specific to the mite. |
Syphilis
A bacterial infection that is transmitted through oral, anal, or vaginal sex, or with broken skin directly with a Syphilis sore.
| Symptoms: |
Syphilis presents an initial long latent period without any symptoms, so a screen would provide the best answer if you think you may have it. The symptoms are the same for males and females, but the infection has four categories of symptoms.
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| Treatment: | prescription antibiotics, early treatments are the most successful. |
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
A bacterial infection of the reproductive organs in females, usually caused by multiple bacterial species.
| Symptoms: | pain or tenderness in lower abdomen, uterus, cervix, or Fallopian tubes; fever, chills. |
| Treatment: | prescription antibiotics, possibly multiple to combat multiple strains of bacteria. |
Trichomoniasis
A parasitic infection transmitted through sexual contact with an infected individual.
| Female Symptoms: | yellow-green discharge, irritation during intercourse and urination, itching of external genitalia. Not all women present symptoms. |
| Male Symptoms: | temporary irritation in urethra, mild discharge, burning with urination or ejaculation. Men rarely present symptoms. |
Top Risk Factors for Sexually Transmitted Infections:
- Unprotected Sex
- Multiple Partners
- Under Age 25
- Early Onset of Sexual Activity
- Alcohol Use
- Drug Use
- Trading Sex for Money or Drugs
- Living in a Community with High STI Rates
- Serial Monogamy
LGBTQIA+ HEALTH
The Falcon Health Center realizes that a trip to the doctor’s office can be intimidating; especially for those who fear they may be discriminated against or misunderstood by the medical staff. We work very hard at the Falcon Health Center to create a safe environment for all students to feel at ease. Our top priority is student health, which can only be accomplished if students feel safe enough to come receive help. Students who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, or Transgender may have different questions or concerns, but the Falcon Health Center is qualified and eager to assist everyone.
To better serve our transgender, intersex and gender non-conforming students, we encourage open communication between health care providers and patients.
PrEP Services
“PrEP” or Pre-exposure prophylaxis is a prevention option for those at a high risk for HIV and consists of daily HIV medication that lowers the chances of becoming infected.
At our PrEP appointments, our patient will
- Meet with a provider for an initial consult
- Review risk factors and appropriateness for treatment initiation
- Initial testing and education
- Attend a follow-up appointment every 6 months with labs every 3 months
Call (419) 372-2271 to schedule.
Services described on this page might be relevant for students with a variety of gender identities, including ciswomen, transmen, transwomen and gender non-conforming people.
Falcon Health Center is located next to the Bowling Green State University (BGSU) campus.
The Center serves the entire surrounding community as well as the BGSU faculty, staff and students. Falcon Health Center offers convenience care appointments with medical providers, immunizations, travel medicine, skin screenings, lab and radiology services, acupuncture, chiropractic care and physical therapy. For your convenience the Falcon Health Center offers a full-service pharmacy with drive through.