Preferred Location: 1605 Martin Springs Dr Rolla,MO 65401 Rolla Change location
SaferSTD Preferred Location: 1605 Martin Springs Dr Rolla,MO 65401 Rolla Change Location
With hiking in the Ozark mountains, Mizzou football and professional baseball, MO has something for everyone. Before you go off on your adventures, it is important to stop by a STD clinic to check up on your sexual health. The number of Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Hepatitis B, C, Herpes, Syphilis and HIV cases reported annually are rising, and this means visiting one of the free STD testing centers in Missouri. If you want to avoid the long lines and crowded waiting rooms at the community clinics there is another way to take care of your sexual health. With one phone call you can schedule private STD testing, and only spend 15 to 20 minutes at a nearby lab. This way you still have plenty of time to enjoy all this state has to offer.
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. Walk-in STD testing Mon.-Fri., 8am-4pm
Description: Public Health Department/Social Services Department. Clinic hours vary. Please call for appointments
Description: Public Health Department/Social Services Department.
Show only locations where you can easily book your test online.
Description: Need to register as a patient.
Description: School-based behavioral health care Tuesday and Thursday. Telehealth available as needed
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: Public Health Department/Social Services Department. STD and HIV testing offered for women through the Women's Health STD testing currently limited to urethral gonorrhea and chlamydia testing via a urine specimen. 2nd Wed., of every month open 8am-7pm
Description: All populations are welcome. Call or visit Web site for information on becoming a patient.
Description: Need to register as a patient.
Description: Public Health Department/Social Services Department. Call clinic to verify eligibility.
Description: Hospital.
Description: Public Health Department/Social Services Department. STI cost range $20-$105. Bring photo ID.
Description: Public Health Department/Social Services Department, Low cost HIV/STD testing. MODHSS has enforced limits on who can be tested. Nursing staff will consult with client and determine eligibility. Closed daily from 11:30am-1pm
While the stateโs STD rates are comparable to national averages, this doesnโt mean that residents arenโt at risk. The data shows that these rates have been increasing for several years. This means that it is important for residents to get tested, regardless of their sexual activity.
Overall, recent statistics show that per population the STD rates are average. While this might not seem like there is a crisis involving sexually transmitted diseases, the data also indicates that the number of infections is starting to increase.
Teens and young adults are among those with the highest risk, especially for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea. Chlamydia is more prevalent in females, while the number of men ages 15 to 24 are testing positive for Gonorrhea at an alarming rate. The statistics also show that it is not just young adults at risk, but older residents as well.
Men over 25 years of age are testing positive more often for primary and secondary Syphilis. The HIV/AIDS rate in older males has also been increasing for the last several years.
Even though studies show that STD rates decrease when comprehensive sex education programs are implemented, the state still promotes abstinence as the best method of protection. This means that residents are not getting the information they need to protect themselves from sexually transmitted diseases.
Instead of explaining the risks and responsibilities that come with being sexually active, students are taught that abstinence is the best form of protection. While this is true regarding unplanned pregnancies, abstaining from sex does not effectively prevent the spread of STDs.
Some STDs can be spread without engaging in sexual activity, and this means that abstinence is not an effective method of protection. Regular Herpes testing in Missouri is the best way for students and residents to protect themselves from the contagious virus, and it can also help stop its spread through area high schools. Regular HIV testing in Missouri is also important, especially since it is the only way to positively detect the potentially deadly disease.
Analyzing demographics is key when health professionals are trying to accurately determine the STD rates. Even though the state is not as densely populated as others, it is still home to several large colleges and universities. This is one of the reasons for the higher rates of STD transmittance reported in some areas in the state. With large groups of young people living together, itโs a perfect recipe for an outbreak without proper testing and education. City centers are another area of concern.
Areas of Missouri, specifically St. Louis, are notorious for years of racial separation and struggle. Many blacks in St. Louis still feel the effects of gentrification and urban fleeing. As a result, they represent many more HIV cases per capita than other races. This is primarily a poverty issue. There is also a significant disparity between the genders. Females are much more likely to contract STDs in general while males are more likely to contract HIV.
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. Education and increased testing is the best way for residents to protect themselves from contracting STDs.
Before driving through the grassy plains or visiting the Ozark Mountains, it is important to take a few minutes to think about your sexual health. The number of sexually transmitted infections reported across the state are rising, and this means that it is important to get tested on a regular basis. If you donโt want to spend the entire day waiting in a long line at the STI clinic, you do have other options. You can schedule confidential STD testing with one quick phone call, and only spend a few minutes at the local lab. This way you will still have plenty of time to see everything that the โShow-Meโ state has to offer.