Preferred Location: 215 N. 2nd Street El Cajon,CA 92021 El Cajon Change location
SaferSTD Preferred Location: 215 N. 2nd Street El Cajon,CA 92021 El Cajon Change Location
El Cajon experienced yet another consecutive year for rising rates of the most commonly reported sexually transmitted diseases. Part of San Diego County, the El Cajon area is seeing its highest levels of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis these last twenty years. Preventing STIs should be high on the countyโs priority list.
Infectious syphilis rates were trending up by 15.2 percent between 2016 and 2017.
Early syphilis is being caught at a higher rate in men than women in the San Diego area, with 85.5 percent of those cases coming from the LGBTQ+ community.
The county news center recommends the following way to prevent STDs: talk honestly about STIs with your sexual partners and your medical professional, get screened regularly, reduce your number of sexual partners, and use condoms and approved barrier methods.
The instances of chlamydia are 1.6 times higher in women than in men of this region, with most cases being women between the ages of 20 and 24. The total rate of chlamydia diagnoses rose 10%โa reported 628.5 cases per every 100,000 people. Gonorrhea is surging as well, reporting a whopping 57.6 percent increase from 2015 to 2017.ย
There are many options available to you for testing in the El Cajon area, though you may have to travel to San Diego. San Diego County runs four STD clinics that offer testing and treatment regardless of your ability to pay. Those four clinics are Public Health Center in Oceanside, County Health Services Complex on Rosecrans, Central Region Public Health Center on University Avenue, and South Region Public Health Center in Chula Vista. If youโre a young woman under 25, you may be eligible for free STD testing (gonorrhea and chlamydia only) through a county-implemented program.
To find the best services and location for you, use our search tools below to compare location features across El Cajon clinics with our easy-to-read chart.ย
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention1 (CDC) recommends screening for the most common STDs, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, syphilis, herpes 1, herpes 2, and HIV for both men and women. In addition, the CDC suggests women get screened for trichomoniasis.
SaferSTD recommends searching for locations that offer a 10-test panel which tests for the most common bacteria and viral STDs in the U.S. with additional premium add-ons like early HIV detection, if needed.
The CDC2ย provides detailed STD testing information as to when you should get tested. In summary, you should get tested today if you are sexually active, never been tested before, have had unprotected sex in the past, or if you exhibit symptoms.ย
According to the World Health Organization3, the majority of STI cases reported every day, more than one million, are asymptomatic; another reason to get tested today.
You should get tested again in 90 days to rule out STDs that have specific exposure waiting times, including HIV.
STD testing can be a quick and simple process, depending on the type of test you choose and where you get tested. Some may require an oral or genital swab, a urine test or blood sample, or a physical exam to check your genital area for signs of an STD.
SaferSTD has identified preferred providers that require only a urine test, a blood sample, or both without a physical exam.
The speed at which you receive your STD testing results depends on where you get tested. Before you choose your location, find out how long testing results will take.ย
At-home STD testing results are usually 3-5 business days, depending on the manufacturer of your test. You also need to take into account the amount of time it takes to receive the test or pick one up, perform the test, and ship it back, before the lab can analyze your results and report back to you.ย
If you test at a public facility such as a neighborhood clinic, you may have to wait a week, if not more for the results, which could delay treatment. If you test through a private facility, they have the fastest turnaround within 1-3 business days.ย
SaferSTD has researched and identified the most accredited and most reputable testing locations. Click here to find a preferred location near you.
Some STD testing clinics offer same-day walk-in options without an appointment. Below are nearby preferred locations that offer this option.
The cost of STD testing depends on whether you select private, public, or at-home testing, as well as the type of test(s) you need.
Several at-home STD options and public testing locations can cost up to $250, with most on the higher end, depending on the brand and type of testing. Public testing fees also vary based on income and welfare eligibility.ย
With private testing, you may save money on a low-cost comprehensive 10-test panel that tests for the most common bacterial and viral STDs in the United States.ย
SaferSTD has researched and identified reputable locations that offer upfront pricing without hidden fees. Click here to find a preferred location near you.
King Chavez Health Center is a federally qualified health center that provides residents in El Cajon, CA, with quality, low cost, and accessible medical services that help them to maintain a healthy lifestyle. The facility has partnered with other organizations to provide several clinical services, including STD/HIV testing and treatment, women's health, dental care, and behavioral health services.
Mid-City Community Clinic was founded in 1969 to improve the living standards and health of community residents. The facility began as a small clinic run by volunteer nurses and two physicians serving 40 patients daily. It has expanded over the years to accommodate individuals seeking health care services, including STD treatment and screening, adult medicine, mental health, and reproductive health care.
Planned Parenthood - El Cajon Health Center is dedicated to serving women, men, and teenagers with quality and affordable reproductive health care and informative sexual education. The clinic has skilled medical practitioners trained to deliver STD/HIV testing and treatment, pregnancy screening, LGBTQ care, womenโs and menโs health services, and abortion referral services.
San Diego County Public Health offers social and health care services to millions of county residents through its health care programs. The facility strives to enhance the well being of the population through its affordable and comprehensive health services. Its skilled medical providers offer STD/HIV testing and treatment, counseling, vaccinations, women's health care, family planning, and general medical care services.
Centro Medico El Cajon - Urgent Care delivers quality and comprehensive primary medical care to communities in El Cajon, CA, and its surroundings. It has board-certified physicians, clinicians, and nurses who treat non-life-threatening illnesses and minor injuries. They also offer STD/HIV testing and treatment, internal medicine, family planning, vaccinations, transgender medicine, behavioral, and women's health care services.
Sharp Rees-Stealy La Mesa Urgent Care provides immediate medication to persons with minor medical emergencies. It is a convenient option for individuals who cannot access medication from their primary physician who may be on vacation or cannot offer a timely appointment.
The facility's certified physicians and registered nurses are trained to provide STD/HIV testing and treatment, primary medicine, emergency care, and pregnancy health care services.
Call our Expert Care Advisors at
Accredited and Certified
These location types are best for: Privacy and convenience
Description: Order online and receive a doctor's order to visit this lab to get tested in as little as 15 mins. Get your results privately within 1-2 business days and speak with a doctor over the phone if your test results come back positive. Doctors may prescribe treatment or refer you to a specialist if needed.
Accredited and Certified
These location types are best for: Privacy and convenience
Description: Getting an STD test at a clinic near you has never been easier. When you choose this location, you can get a doctor's requisition to get tested in as little as 15 minutes. Following your test, you receive your results privately within 2 business days, and can speak to a doctor over the phone with confidence, should results come back as positive.
Accredited and Certified
These location types are best for: Privacy and convenience
Description: Why go to a public clinic? Get convenient and fast STD testing that is 100% confidential. Individual tests under $50. Order online and visit this lab the same day for a quick 15 min test. Get your results online within 1-2 business days, and view them privately. Doctor consultation available over the phone, should results come back as positive.
Accredited and Certified
These location types are best for: Privacy and convenience
Description: Get Fast, Easy and Affordable testing at this location. Results come back within 2 business days and be in and out of the lab in less then 20 minutes.
Show only locations where privacy and discretion is taken into importance.
Description: Public Health Department/Social Services Department.
Description: Closed for lunch daily from 12:30pm-1:30pm
Show only locations where you can easily book your test online.
Description: General Public. Closed daily from 12noon-1pm
Description: Closed 12:30pm-1:30pm
Description: PrEP Referrals and Insurance Enrollment available. Closed for lunch: 12:30pm-1:30pm
Show only locations where they offer the HIV RNA Early Detection Test for people who think they may have been recently exposed to the HIV virus
Description: Closed 12:30pm-1:30pm
Description: Social Service Organization. If you are uninsured, you may qualify for a state-funded program or a lower fee scale. Please bring the following documents: photo ID. Fees for services are based on your household income. You will not be turned away because of your inability to pay. Walk-ins are accepted based on health center availability
Description: Closed for lunch: 12noon-1pm
Description: General Public. Closed from 12noon-1pm Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri and 12noon-1:30pm on Wed
Description: Closed for lunch from 12:30am-1:15pm. Call for HIV testing hours
Description: Social Service Organization. If you are uninsured, you may qualify for a state-funded program or a lower fee scale. Please bring the following documents: photo ID. Fees for services are based on your household income. You will not be turned away because of your inability to pay. You are welcome to walk in any time the Health Center is open to make an appointment or see if there is a same day appointment available
Description: FHC of San Diego is the largest provider of HIV and hepatitis treatment and prevention services in the region. PrEP referrals and insurance enrollment. Closed for lunch: 12:30pm-1:30pm. Call for HIV testing info
Description: Community Based Organization.
Description: Public Health Department/Social Services Department. Payment is by cash, check, debit or credit card. $40.00 fee covers testing, treatment, vaccinations, lab work, in-stock medications and any follow-up visit within 30 days of exam. The fee may be waived if you are unable to pay. The clinics do not accept insurance. Hours vary depending on services offered
Over the last twenty years state and county officials have noticed that the number of sexually transmitted infections is rising. While some of this can be attributed to new residents moving into the area, the fact remains that STDs are quickly becoming a health crisis.
Statistics released by the California Local Health Jurisdiction show that the percentage of residents that test positive for any of the sexually transmitted diseases is climbing, and the data shows that the rates for the county has been above state averages for most STDs since 2005. The only rate currently below the stateโs is Gonorrhea infections in women, and since 2012 the number of reported cases has started to climb.
It is not only Chlamydia and Gonorrhea rates that are rising, but Syphilis incidents in males are also climbing. This is slightly surprising to some local officials who thought that the cityโs rate would be much lower than the stateโs. As of 2014 the number of men infected with Syphilis was noticeably higher than those reported for the state.
The data also shows that STDs are not limited to one age group or ethnicity, but that everyone is at risk. African and Native American women have the highest incident rate for Chlamydia, while Syphilis affects Hispanics and Caucasian males almost equally. Young women, regardless of their ethnicity, have the greatest chances of contracting a STD, and this is not likely to change until everyone starts getting tested regularly. Some of the other statistics residents should be aware of include,
Top STD Testing Locations in El Cajon, CA
Primary Item (H2)The clinic's management recommends patients to download and fill pre-registration forms to receive STD/HIV services. They are also required to bring a photo ID and employer information. Social security numbers, insurance ID, Medicare, or Medi-cal may be required if applicable. Additionally, patients without insurance plans are encouraged to apply to the clinics sliding fee scale program.
King Chavez Health Center has a pharmacy with an IVR phone system that enables registered patients to access their drug prescriptions easily, request for a refill, and consult with the pharmacist.
The clinic provides an education promotion program that offers free nutrition and lifestyle disease education to enable patients to manage their health conditions. Additionally, it has a case management program that provides low-income patients with proper housing, food, and medication services.
950 Euclid Ave, San Diego, CA 92114, USA
The clinic welcomes both insured and self-pay persons and accepts numerous insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid. Uninsured patients may qualify for a sliding fee scale based on their income and household size.
Mid-City Community Clinic provides condoms and emergency contraception across the city to lower the rate of STD/HIV infections and unplanned pregnancies. It also has a teen clinic that offers confidential and free reproductive health care services to adolescents. Moreover, the facility has a mobile health unit that ensures individuals from low-income communities have access to screenings, health education, and case management services.
4290 Polk Ave, San Diego, CA 92105, USA
Members of the public are required to provide their photo ID and insurance card to receive STI/HIV services. The facility welcomes both insured and uninsured persons and accepts several methods of payments such as cash, Medicare, Medicaid, checks, and credit cards. It also provides a sliding fee scale to uninsured residents.
Planned Parenthood - El Cajon Health Center offers holistic womenโs healthcare services by providing female patients with trusted clinicians during their lifetime for their sexual and reproductive needs. Women can also benefit from the facilityโs Well Woman Plus program, which connects women to trusted medical providers for care beyond birth control and physical examination consultation.
1685 E. Main Street #301 #301, El Cajon, CA 92021, USA
Public members are eligible for STD/HIV services at the facility. Self-pay patients may use cash, checks, credit, and debit cards to clear their bills. The clinic also accepts major insurance plans, such as Medicare and Medicaid.
San Diego County Public Health provides support services, including proper housing and rent aid to patients from underserved communities. It also has a program that delivers meals to PLWHA and through its referral and support program, patients are linked to various organizations for social and medical services.
5202 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92105, USA
Clients in need of STI/HIV services are required to complete their new patient paperwork before visiting the clinic. They are also required to bring their photo ID and insurance card(s). Additionally, a sliding fee program is available for uninsured persons, and many insurance plans are accepted.
Centro Medico El Cajon - Urgent Care has an in-house pharmacy staffed by friendly pharmacists who offer affordable medications to patients. Moreover, individuals can take advantage of the facility's virtual patient care to receive treatment in the comfort of their home through a secure video conference.
133 W Main St Suite 100, El Cajon, CA 92020, USA
STD/HIV services are accessible to all patients visiting the clinic. It accepts multiple modes of payments, such as cash and credit for self-pay patients, and insured clients may use their insurance plans to clear their bills.
Sharp Rees-Stealy La Mesa Urgent Care has a secure patient identification process that ensures patients receive confidential health services. The clinic also cares for its patient's wellness by providing free medical classes that ensure individuals stay fit and healthy. Free parking space is also patients and visitors.
5525 Grossmont Center Dr, La Mesa, CA 91942, USA
This school year marked the change in the stateโs sexual education program. No longer are individual districts allowed to create their own programs, now they all must follow the curriculum developed by the state. These changes were made in response to the rapidly rising STD rates that are now being called a โstatewide health epidemicโ.
Abstinence is still discussed and encouraged, but state lawmakers have realized that it is simply not enough to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. The new programs include current information about how these viruses are spread, along with methods on how students can adequately protect themselves.
While some parents and religious leader did and still oppose the new sex education program, it is already having a positive effect in some parts of the state. Local officials are also hopeful that it will also help lower the cityโs own high STD rate. Students also learn how important regular HIV testing in El Cajon is, and that it is still the only way to positively detect the disease.
Regular Herpes testing in El Cajon is also discussed, and school administrators are hopeful that they will soon start to see a decrease in the number of students who test positive for the virus.
Sexually transmitted diseases are a problem that effects everyone, regardless of age or ethnicity. These factors do play a role in an areaโs STD rate, and it is also something that health officials are currently addressing.
To help overcome the differences the state has made it mandatory that all public school districts implement sex education programs. With comprehensive information that pertains to todayโs modern views and beliefs regarding sexuality, officials are hopeful that residents will have the knowledge they need to know when their behavior is putting them at risk.
Studies have shown that education is the most effective method of stopping the spread of sexually transmitted viruses, and it can also help dispel many of the myths and misconceptions young people have today. This includes understanding that you can get a STD even if you are not sexually active, and that the only proven method of protecting your health is to be tested at least once or twice a year.
Some of the misconceptions that health officials are hoping to dispel include the fact that HIV is still a deadly disease. While advances in treatment have made it possible for many residents to live full and happy lives, the fact remains that they are still affected by the disease. Illicit drug use among older men is one of the major contributors to the rise in Syphilis rates, and once again testing is the best way to prevent the spread of this treatable disease.
Even with the new education programs regular STD testing is still an important part of any health care routine, and this applies to residents of โThe Big Boxโ. You can find community centers that offer STD testing, but it is understandable if you donโt want to spend your day waiting inside an understaffed clinic. Now you can easily take care of your sexual health simply by calling to schedule confidential STD testing. It only requires you to spend a few minutes at a local lab so you can enjoy the rest of your day in this beautiful city.
Reference:
http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2015/dec/11/sexually-transmitted-diseases-syphilis-chlamydia/
Each page below contains a detailed report of the local area, location STD statistics and clinic reviews of some the top STD testing locations. The content is curated by our very own editors and medical experts.