STD / STI Testing Near Me: Private, Fast, and Affordable

How to get an STD test?

There are generally 3 ways to get an STD test: by scheduling an appointment and visiting a private testing lab / public health center, or by ordering a testing kit and performing the test at home. We understand that you want fast, private, and affordable testing options, and that’s what we bear in mind as we search for the right service for you.

1. Private testing labs

1 – Order test
2 – Visit a local test center
3 – Get tested
4 – Receive results

Reliable private labs like STDcheck are a convenient resource where you can find comprehensive, fast, private, and confidential STD / STI testing services. And STDcheck is the only service that offers an FDA-approved HIV RNA Early Detection Test. Also, you’ll get doctor consultations in case of positive results. Compared with normally overcrowded public health centers, private labs help protect your privacy.

Pros

4500 nationwide STD testing centers
FDA-approved test services
Lab results in 1-2 days
Guaranteed privacy and confidentiality
No appointment necessary

Cons

Not enough doctor consultation
No low-cost testing service

STDs can lead to severe organ damage, but they are preventable.

Take control of your health.

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2. Public health centers

1 – Schedule an appointment
2 – Pay the order
3 – Visit the health center
4 – Get results

If you’re more comfortable with a public healthcare center, you can check if there’s a Planned Parenthood around you. It is a nonprofit organization that offers sexual health-related services like STD / STI testing & treatment, birth control, and more. And for patients who’re not using insurance, Planned Parenthood has a sliding scale fee based on household size & income.

Pros

Full doctor consultation & treatment
Easy appointment
Affordable and sometimes free

Cons

Results may take longer
Overcrowding that threats privacy
Prices vary a lot

3. At-home STD testing kits

1 – Order a test kit
2 – Receive the package
3 – Collect and send back your sample
4 – Get results

If you don’t want to physically visit a healthcare center or clinic, or there are no such facilities around you, perhaps you can order a home test kit from providers like myLAB Box. You can do the sampling at your own house, at your schedule, with enough privacy. But after collecting the sample, you need to mail it back for laboratory testing, which will take some extra time.

Pros

Highly private & confidential
Accessible from anywhere
Multiple choices
Schedule at your convenience

Cons

Not enough doctor consultation
Possible errors due to incorrect sample handling
Mailing costs extra time

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FAQ

Should I get an STD test?

Getting tested for STDs is an essential way to protect your health. Even if you’re not sexually active, you can get infected. Because sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can spread through multiple methods, not only through sexual intercourse. Besides, some STDs may have delayed or no symptoms and testing is the only way to know if you are positive.

Also, CDC recommends^[1] that all adults and adolescents between the ages of 13 and 64 should get tested for HIV at least once. However, if you have certain risk factors as follows, getting an STD test is even more important.

What are the risk factors?

You have symptoms:
You might have sores, bumps, or blisters on the genital area, pain during sex, and burning urination.
You don’t have symptoms but you have been exposed to risk factors:
You’ve had unprotected sex, shared needles with others, or been exposed to someone with STDs.
You have a history of STDs:
People with a history of STDs are at a higher risk of becoming infected again, compared with others who are not.
You want a regular check:
Perhaps you’re about to start a new relationship and want to get a regular health check.

When to do it?

If you have concerns, you should take action immediately. Don’t wait until you have symptoms that may never appear. Many STIs and STDs, including chlamydia, will not show symptoms shortly after infection.

Get an STD test as soon as possible if you’ve had unsafe sex or more than one sexual partner.
And get a test in 2 weeks if you’re concerned about a recent contact or you think there might be a new infection.
Some STDs can take a longer time to develop symptoms than others. Remember to test again 6 weeks after the initial test to ensure that nothing was missed.

What samples does an STD test require?

Chlamydia: blood, urine, swab
Gonorrhea: blood, urine, swab
Syphilis: blood
Herpes: blood, swab
HIV: blood, saliva
Hepatitis: blood

If I just want an individual test, how do I choose?

When you go for an STI test, the healthcare provider may order a panel of tests that includes several individual tests for different STIs. Each individual test looks for the presence of a specific infection. If you only want tests for specific STIs and STDs, you can discuss them with your health provider or check national guidelines^[2] to decide on the appropriate tests.

Can I get free STD testing?

Healthcare clinics like Planned Parenthood offer STD testing at low cost or for free. However, free of charge might be another word for overcrowding and long waiting lines. Most free STD clinics have limited testing hours and do not offer a full 10-panel test. And it might take you up to 2 weeks to get the results.

Thanks to multiple STD / STI testing sources, protecting your sexual health has never been easier. We hope you find this information helpful and always stay safe.

Images in the article from Flaticon.com and Pexel.com

By Arlee Hu

As a dedicated content creator at Super Easy, Arlee’s passion lies in discovering the finest products, services, and ingenious how-tos for our valued readers, all while delivering helpful tips and a unique perspective.

Prior to joining Super Easy, Arlee gained experience as an English-Chinese interpreter for a government foreign affairs office while she was at graduate school and later for an online course platform. These roles demanded her ability to quickly grasp essential knowledge in diverse fields within tight deadlines. Now, Arlee leverages her exceptional skills in rapid learning and information retrieval at Super Easy, aiming to provide readers with the most up-to-date and relevant information available.

In her leisure time, Arlee enjoys traveling and has already explored 12 countries, all meticulously planned and organized by herself. Additionally, she contributes to international media platforms by offering her translation expertise, gaining valuable practical experience along the way.

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