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If you’re most concerned about privacy, you should look into private testing centers. The labs affiliated with private clinics do more than STD tests, so it isn’t obvious why you’re there.
Additionally, you don’t have to fill out the paperwork required at a public center, nor do you have to answer all of the embarrassing questions the clinician would ask you at a public center.
If you value fast results, private testing is probably best. You can wait up to 2 weeks for results with public testing, whereas private testing results are available in 2-3 business days or less.
On the other hand, some public centers do offer fast results on specific tests. For example, rapid HIV testing is available in public centers, with results ready in approximately 20 minutes.
If fast treatment is important to you, a private testing center is probably best.
After test results are available, you’ll have access to talk to a physician about your condition and your concerns over the phone.
The provider can prescribe medication and treatment for you to help you begin the process of getting well.
Public centers, however, can take up to 2 months from the time you first call in to schedule testing to get you in to treatment.
If price and cost is most important to you, the right choice for you depends on your income and insurance availability.
A public clinic(which may offer free std testing ), charges based on a sliding income scale, will usually cost less if you make a low income; testing might even be free.
However, this is not a guarantee, and private testing offers pricing transparency that you can’t always expect from a public center.
Support and customer service can also be an element to consider when choosing between public and private testing options.
If you would like someone to examine you and talk with you about the process and next steps while testing is being done, public testing might be best since you will see someone who can provide you with this information.
At the same time, however, public centers are often busy and have full waiting rooms, and so while you will get personal interaction, you might not get the level of care you want or need, depending on the clinic and the situation.
Private testing, on the other hand, doesn’t have a provider sit down with you during testing, but does provide a secure confidential option to speak to a care adviser about your testing options over the phone.
It also provides secured options to access your test results, and fast access to medical care if tested positive.
Both private and public centers can test for the most common STDs. These include HIV, Herpes, Syphilis, Trichomoniasis, Gonorrhea, Genital Warts, and Chlamydia.
If you want to get tested for other STDs, you should consider a private testing center. Private labs have the resources to test for Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, HPV, and other STDs that many public testing centers may not have access to.
If you want to get tested for all major STD at one time, Private Testing may be a great options as they are able to offer 10 test panels that cover all major STDs such as HIV 1 & 2, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Herpes 1 & 2, and Hepatitis A,B and C or similar combinations. It save you a lot of time as one visit to the lab will get you tested for all these STDs and you can find out if you have any STDs that you didn't think you have because of lack of symptoms.
On the other hand, if you need anal or oral swabs completed, you may want to consider a public testing center. Because private labs do not do physical exams, these tests are usually unavailable. If you believe you have been exposed to STDs through anal or oral sex, a public center may be your best option.
No. Safer STD Testing is an informational website designed to educate you about STD testing. We refer readers like you to private STD testing providers, which we often refer to as “Preferred Service Providers” or “Advertisers.” We are not a medical or healthcare facility, and none of our information is intended as medical advice. For our full disclosure, click here.
At Safer STD Testing, we believe that you have the right to be in full control of your sexual health and that’s why Safer STD Testing works with nationally reputed companies that specialize in providing private, confidential, non-judgmental and fast STD testing services. Your personal information is fiercely guarded, and the testing is done at the nation’s most respected diagnostic laboratories.
It is important that you first make the decision to get tested. We are here to help you find the right healthcare provider. Many people incorrectly believe that STD testing is included in pelvic exams, gynecologist visits, or physicals. This is not the case. Due to the variety of STD tests available, you must specifically request an STD test from a healthcare provider.
It depends on where you test and the test you take amongst other factors. At Private labs the test results are available within 1-2 business days for majority of the tests. The time for test results at the public testing facilities varies from a few days to a couple of weeks at most times. Some tests like Rapid HIV test results are available within 20-30 minutes, although the results are indicative and need to be validated by another HIV test.
Free STD testing is available depending on your circumstances. College students generally have access to free tests. Public clinics may offer free testing depending on your income and welfare eligibility. In some cases, public testing might end up costing more than private if those clinics are not offering transparent pricing.
STD tests are never 100% accurate and that’s mostly because many STIs don’t show up right away. In some cases, it can take an infection anywhere from a couple of days to a few months to show up in testing. Our Preferred Service Providers tests are reliable and accurate as per industry standards.
No. To attend the recommended sexual health facilities, you do not need a referral letter from your General Practitioner (GP). Our Preferred Service Providers operate an open access sexual health service that you can attend with or without an appointment.
All major credit cards or payments via debit/gift cards, Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), Flex Spending Accounts (FSAs) with Mastercard and Visa logos as well as e-Checks are accepted for private STD Testing by our preferred service providers. Your health insurance may not be accepted at all preferred service providers, so we recommend checking prior to ordering your tests. A cancellation policy allows you to receive a full or partial refund on any order placed with our service providers within specified days of making payment and before visiting one of the testing facilities.
If you prefer to order your STD test online, find a private location by visiting the Private STD Testing page .
The name of the preferred service provider’s website will not appear on any billing statement.
Can you still get tested without a parent/guardian’s permission? While the law can vary from state to state, in most cases you can get tested for all STDs without signed consent from a parent or guardian even if you are age 17 or younger. It is still a good idea to check with the local laws in your area.
You will have to provide some personal information, starting with your zip code. Your name and contact information will also be required. All data supplied by you will be kept private, whether you provide it over the phone or online.
Our preferred service providers take every step to ensure that your tests results are kept private. This is one of the main reasons why results can only be accessed via email or phone call. It should be noted that if you test positive for HIV/AIDS these results will be reported to your local health department as required by federal law.
Our preferred service providers offer tests for all commonly transmitted sexual infections. While you can choose to be tested for only one STD, most physicians recommend a full 10 panel test. This includes HIV Type 1 and 2, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Herpes 1 and 2, along with Hepatitis A, B and C.
Some insurance carriers do cover testing costs, but many do not. If you are unsure of your coverage, we recommend that you look over your policy. Our preferred service providers will also be able to let you know if your health insurance is accepted.
Yes, in many cases you can be tested the same day if you order a test through a preferred service provider.
