Susan Mikita, R.N. in ARC’s Health Center, said when the distribution of condoms began there was no limit, but students were abusing them, “making water balloons,” and the limit was set in place to curb them from being wasted.

The ARC Health Center offers pregnancy tests for $7 and immunizations for Hepatitis B — although these immunizations require three shots in a six-month time frame — at $35 per shot. Hepatitis B can cause chirrosis or cancer of the liver.

The Center also hoped to offer HIV/AIDS, gonorrhea, and chlamydia testing daily by next semester, but Mikita said she was unsure whether or not this would be implemented.

According to Registered Nurse Gin Fierro, “We are hoping to have this, but it’s not firmed up yet.”

“We hope that this can happen, it’s a possibility, we are taking steps for this to happen,” Mikita said, adding that they hope to be able to offer more than condoms in terms of birth control methods. Birth control pills and patches may be available soon. She continued to assert that she was unsure “if and when” these benefits would be available, but hoped by upcoming fall.

Gonorrhea usually has very mild symptoms for men and women. Both may have a burning sensation when urinating, and a discolored discharge from the affected area. In women, these symptoms can be mistaken for a vaginal or bladder infection, and it may even cause vaginal bleeding between periods. Men rarely have any symptoms at all, but may have painful or swollen testicles. The disease can lead to infertility for both sexes.

Chlamydia is coined a “quiet” or “silent” disease for the same reason. While both diseases have very mild symptoms they can have severe after effects. Both diseases make the infected individual more vulnerable to contracting AIDS until treated. Chlamydia can be fatal if a woman becomes pregnant because it can cause ectopic pregnancy. The disease can be easily treated with antibiotics. Gonorrhea is treatable, but there are many strains that have become resistant to treatment.

When asked how much direction or examination a student can get from the health center, Mikita responded that while was not allowed to perform examinations of a sexual or gynelogical level, she and the other registered nurses at the Health Center Jeff Christian and Fierro can direct students to the correct facility. They cannot give a student an examination, but she knows where to send students.

“I like having a male nurse so male students can feel more comfortable,” said Mikita.

The ARC Health Center also offers immunizations for tuberculosis for $5, tetanus/diphtheria for $25, and Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) for $50.

The Effort, a medical clinic in Sacramento, offers free STD testing. The clinic tests for gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis and AIDS. Gonorrhea, chlamydia and syphilis testing is available Monday through Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. AIDS testing is by appointment only on Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The clinic provides free treatment for gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis. The Effort also provides anyone who takes a test with free condoms.

The Health Center can be contacted at 484-8383.