Preferred Location: 5016 N University St Peoria,IL 61614 Peoria Change location
SaferSTD Preferred Location: 5016 N University St Peoria,IL 61614 Peoria Change Location
Whether you are gazing out at the Chicago skyline from the top of the iconic Sears Tower or visiting Abraham Lincolnโs home in the small city of Springfield, the state of Illinois has something for everyone. This unfortunately includes a high rate of Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Herpes, Hepatitis B, C, Syphilis and HIV. Driving through the state youโll notice a shortage of STD clinics, even though infection rates are rising. If you want to avoid the long lines at the free STD testing centers in IL., there is an easy way for you to take care of your sexual health. With one simple phone call you can schedule private STD testing, and only spend 15 to 20 minutes at a local lab. This way youโll have plenty of time to tour this great state.
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.
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. Fees are charged for clinic services before the services are provided. The clinic accepts cash or check payments. Testing is $30.
Description: Public Health Department/Social Services Department. Free condoms available upon request.
Description: Public Health Department/Social Services Department.
Show only locations where you can easily book your test online.
Description: Educational Organization/Institution. Please visit Suite 901 for HIV Testing and Suite 904 for PrEP. HIV/STI testing available for the general public. PrEP Services; Gender Affirming Care. Late Clinic open Every 3rd Tuesday of the Month from 4:30pm-6pm (last appt at 5:30pm) Please visit Suite 901 for HIV Testing and Suite 904 for PrEP
Description: Community Based Organization. Screening Services are available to the public. Organization also provides emergency assistance to individuals living with HIV/AIDS and case managed by a HIV Care agent. Call (309) 671-2144 to determine eligibility for services.
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: Community Based Organization. The Empower Life Center provides free limited STI testing (Chlamydia and Gonorrhea). The Empower Life Center provides free limited STI testing (Chlamydia and Gonorrhea). Appointments preferred
Description: Community Based Organization.
Description: Community Based Organization.
Description: Public Health Department/Social Services Department.
While the STD rates do vary across the state, the data indicates that most the 102 counties are seeing an increase in the number of infections reported annually. For some residents this news is surprising, especially those living in rural areas.
Chlamydia rates are up across the state, according to statistics released by county health departments and the CDC. The disease is still prevalent in women, but it is appearing more often in younger females. Teens ages 15 to 18 are among those with the highest risk for contracting Chlamydia, especially in Cook and other densely populated counties.
The statistics also show an increase in reported sexually transmitted diseases in men. Gonorrhea rates have steadily risen in males ages 18 to 22 over the past twenty years, and health officials except this alarming trend to continue. It is not only younger males at risk for contracting a STD, but older men are also testing positive with alarming frequency.
Men over the age of 25 are at an increased risk for contracting Syphilis and HIV/AIDS. Since 2010 the number of reported incidents has more than doubled in some counties. In 2013, the state ranked 9th in the nation for its primary and secondary Syphilis rates. Some of the other statistics that highlight the growing STD problem in the state include,
STDs are significantly more prevalent in younger members of the Illinois community. This is often blamed on a lack of education. While public schools are required by federal law to provide students with medically accurate information regarding HIV and other STDs, this is often not enough to keep teens and young adults safe.
Current state law allows individual school districts to choose their own sex education curriculum, if they even offer the classes. Many educators and parents choose to use abstinence based material, even though surveys showed that 61 percent of teens ages 15 to 18 were already sexually active.
The lack of comprehensive sex education in the school systems means that teens are not getting the information they need to protect themselves from sexually transmitted diseases. Instead of receiving information on condoms and other safe sexual practices, students are often taught that abstinence is the best method of protection. While it is the best way to prevent unplanned pregnancies, abstaining from sex will not stop the spread of all STDs.
Regular HIV testing in Illinois is the best way to protect yourself from the potentially deadly virus, and do your part to stop the diseaseโs spread. Regular Herpes testing in Illinois can effectively stop the spread of the contagious virus, especially through high schools. Getting tested for STDs is the best way to protect yourself, and others.
Illinois is home to a diverse group of residents and several large metropolitan areas. With large concentrations of people living together it can be the perfect recipe for a STD outbreak, especially if there is a lack of education regarding the importance of regular testing.
While an areaโs population plays a role in its STD rates, this is not the only determining factor.
There is also a significant disparity between genders when looking at data for Illinois in its entirety. Females are significantly more likely to contract STDs than men. Additionally, STDs, particularly HIV, are disproportionately more common in African Americans when compared to other races.
A significant contribution to the racial disparity in STD contraction rates is poverty. There are more African Americans living below the poverty line in Illinois. This is especially true in particular parts of Chicago. Without access to affordable treatment or sexual health education, itโs difficult for communities to keep themselves safe and healthy. As education efforts increase, clinicians hope to assist at-risk communities in controlling the spread of STDs. The more people in these communities know about the resources and neighborhood STI clinics that are available, the less these diseases will spread.
It is only with increased awareness and education that these numbers will begin to decline.
In conclusion, there are a variety of factors that contribute to the overall sexual health of a community. One of the most important factors is communication and access to information and testing centers. Even if you donโt think that you have a STD, it never hurts to get yourself tested just in case. It is only through being pro-active that communities in the state can finally stop the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. We understand that you donโt want to spend hours waiting in line at a community health center, and now there is an easier way. You can make one simple phone call and schedule confidential STD testing at your convenience. This way you only have to spend a few minutes at a nearby lab, which still gives you plenty of time to enjoy your day in Illinois.