Preferred Location: 2 Southern Ct West Columbia,SC 29169 West Columbia Change location
SaferSTD Preferred Location: 2 Southern Ct West Columbia,SC 29169 West Columbia Change Location
South Carolina is the home of the fine cotton, great barbecue, and gorgeous beaches. It is also fifth in state rates for Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) like Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Hepatitis, Herpes, Syphilis, and HIV in the U.S., making a regular trip to an STD Clinic essential. Free STD testing centers in the state are available but they can be very busy and even after the test you wait for days or weeks for the results. But you can visit a new STD clinic where private STD testing is available by appointment and a visit takes 15 to 20 minutes. Afterwards you are free to enjoy a vacation in Myrtle Beach.
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.
Description: No referral needed.
Show only locations where you can easily book your test online.
Description: Community Based Organization. Due to COVID-19 our office hours are restricted to appointments only. Primary care hours: Tues., Thurs., 10am-4pm. Testing hours Mon., Wed., 10am-4pm
Description: Community Based Organization. See website for special extended hours
Description: Public Health Department/Social Services Department.
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.
Description: Social Service Organization. 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: AIDS Service Organization.
Description: Community Based Organization. Condoms available for free. Walk-in testing Tues., Thurs., 3pm-7pm. Thurs., by appointment; 1st and 3rd Sat., 10am-2pm walk-in only
Description: Must register as a patient.
Description: Public Health Department/Social Services Department. Free condoms available.
Nicknamed “The Palmetto State” and is the home of Fort Sumter, where the Civil War’s opening shots were fired. In 2013 the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ranked South Carolina as #5 state for STD infection (Louisiana was #1 followed by Mississippi and Georgia), making it near top of a list that not many are proud of. The CDC ranked South Carolina’s infection rates 5th for Chlamydia, 4th for Gonorrhea, 13th for Syphilis.
The growth in STD cases and the importance of being tested for STDs can no longer be ignored with the release of the latest statistics. Some additional statistics that highlight the concern in young adult’s especially young women as collected by the CDC and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) include:
Facts and charts like these are increasing the awareness in your community of the importance of regular STD testing and how it can help limit the spread of these infections.
There is a high correlation between the states with the highest rates of STD infection and those with the least comprehensive sexuality education programs. The foundation of STD education in South Carolina is found in its 1988 Comprehensive Health Education Act (CHEA) provides the basis framework for the sex education system. The CHEA requires school districts to provide 750 minutes of sex education to each student in high school and the school districts to form Health Education Advisory Committee. CHEA does not allow the discussion of “alternate sexual lifestyles from heterosexual relationships … except in the context of instruction concerning sexually transmitted diseases.” Teachers are not allowed to give out samples of contraceptives or information about Planned Parenthood.
There are a number of laws that stigmatize those that are infected with STDs. In South Carolina, people who know that they are infected with HIV/AIDS or another sexually transmitted disease (STD) and expose other people to the disease can be convicted of criminal exposure or even assault.
State STD Fact Sheets shows that 15 to 24 year olds account for 67 percent of gonorrhea infections, 76 percent of chlamydia infections and 42 percent of primary and secondary syphilis infections. The CDC states that 30.2 percent of people living with HIV in the state are ages 13 to 24, Major factors in the infection rate in young adults are the social acceptance of combining alcohol and drugs with social activity, and the exponential growth of on-line dating applications like Tinder, Grndr and Cupid.
Recent research on comprehensive sexuality education has shown that young people who receive complete and accurate information about condoms, abstinence, and contraception were not more likely to be sexually active or be infected by an STD, but were dramatically less likely to be involved in teen pregnancy. They learn that along with regular HIV testing, Herpes testing is very important since viral infections such as Herpes can be transmitted through asymptomatic casual contact with someone that has no visible symptoms.
According to the U.S. Census, in 2014 the state had a population of 4,896,146, which is an increase of 5.85 percent from 2010. Approximately 36,401 people came to the state through immigration from outside the U.S.. Between 2000 and 2005 the state’s foreign-born population grew faster than any other state. Approximately 39 percent of the state’s residents live near or below 200% of the federal poverty level, and among all states it ranks 13th in the percentage of persons who are uninsured. More than seven out of every ten newly diagnosed HIV infections occur among African Americans, though they represent only a third of South Carolina’s population.
The state is one of the most religious in America, with 53 percent of people referring to themselves as very religious and the majority of those being Protestant. An August 2011 Public Policy polling survey found that only 21 percent of the state’s voters thought that same-sex marriage should be legal, 29 percent supporting civil unions but not marriage and 51 percent favoring no legal recognition at all.
With very religious population, a high poverty rate and a low rate of health insurance coverage, it is not surprising that the population at risk for STD infections. These factors result in high STD rates attributed to a lack of both medical visits and STD testing.
The state does not get the same attention as some of the southern states, but it has a vibrant culture all its own. The high rate of STDs shows that you need to be aware and tested on a regular basis. You should not worry about passing something on to a partner, or the thoughts of spending hours waiting to be seen at a free STD clinic keep you from STD testing. There is a choice that lets you make an appointment for same day STD testing, avoid the hassles and save precious time. Invest 20 minutes for your health and the health of the ones you love, then get ready for an evening out to enjoy great dry rub barbecue.
https://www.cdc.gov/std/stats/”>https://www.cdc.gov/std/stats/
http://www.scdhec.gov/Health/DiseasesandConditions/InfectiousDiseases/HIVandSTDs/DataandReports