Preferred Location: 1180 Beacon St Brookline,MA 02446 Brookline Change location
SaferSTD Preferred Location: 1180 Beacon St Brookline,MA 02446 Brookline Change Location
Middlesex Countyโs STD rates are lower than Suffolk Countyโs, but still higher than many other areas of Massachusetts. In 2015, the HIV rate for Middlesex County was 10.5 cases per 100K people. The 2016 rates for chlamydia and gonorrhea were 298.3 and 55.3, and the rate for primary and secondary syphilis was 6.2.
Health officials are especially worried about young people who are sexually active and not using protection.
Since they do not want their parents to know they are having sex, they may avoid a doctor visit that would show up on their health insurance records.
Some organizations counter this by providing free, confidential testing and counseling. Health officials recommend that sexually active individuals always use condoms but caution that they may not prevent herpes.
Cambridge has some clinics around the city, including some free STD testing options for students only. The CHA Cambridge Teen Health Center provides STD testing and counseling at different locations throughout the city (check their website for times and places).
MIT Medical provides STD testing for students, and the HPV vaccine is also available there. The CHA Zinberg Clinic on Cambridge St tests for STDs and prescribes PrEP.
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.
The Youth on Fire is a specialized program run by the AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts. The AIDS Action Committee is the New England region largest provider of services to people living with HIV/AIDS and people that have a higher risk of the infection. Not that long ago in 2013, this committee joined together with Fenway Health so they can further reach people in the LGBT community to get the support and education they need when living with HIV/AIDS.
The Cambridge Teen Health Center is owned and operated by the Cambridge Health Alliance. CHA sees more than 140,000 patients throughout Cambridge, Somerville, and Boston. This important health alliance was formed in 1996 when two hospitals, the Cambridge Hospital and Somerville Hospital joined together to better serve each local resident to make them get access to healthcare services. This alliance works closely with other local centers and hospitals to expand services and care so each patient receives the best care.
The Ansin Building located on Boylston Street is operated as a part of Fenway Health. The Ansin Building was constructed to especially serve the LGBT community. It offers medical, behavioral, dental, and eye care. Since 1971, Fenway Health has been working together with other facilities and the community to help people with HIV/AIDS and those that are a part of the LGBT community find the best healthcare. Today, this important health organization employs more than 500 people and serves almost 30,000 patients a year.
The Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers was created in 1993 when two agencies, the former Somerville Portuguese American League and Cambridge Organization of Portuguese Americans joined together. Now, they work together to better serve Brazilian, Cabo Verdean, Portuguese, and other Portuguese speaking communities to get the access, resources, and services they need to live safer, healthier, and more proactive lives.
The services they offer include citizenship assistance, domestic violence/sexual assault advocacy, driver alcohol education, employment and career assistance, family support services, HIV/sexually transmitted infection testing, immigrant integration services, and much more.
The Division of Infectious Diseases is a part of Massachusetts General Hospital. This specialized division of the hospital has been providing quality services and support since 1956. The chief of the division, Rochelle Walensky, MD, MPH makes sure they offer a variety of inpatient and outpatient clinical services that will help all locals living with infectious diseases. Their board-certified specialists can provide management and care to those who are living HIV/AIDS, viral hepatitis, mycobacterial disease, and perinatal infectious disease. In addition, this facility provides on-site travel immunizations, tropical medicine, and transplant and compromised host services.
The Greater Boston Health Center is operated by Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts. The Planned Parenthood League of Massachusettsโ has been in operation for 87 years. It began as the Birth Control League of Massachusetts in 1928. Dr. Jennifer Childs-Roshak is the President and CEO of the PPLM.
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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: AIDS Service Organization. Serves homeless and street involved youth ages 14-24 during drop-in hours. Thurs. by appointment only
Description: AIDS Service Organization. HIV testing available to injection drug users and transgender women and their partners. Closed from 12noon-1pm daily
Show only locations where you can easily book your test online.
Description: Community Based Organization. Free walk-in testing clinic: Thursdays 3pm-5pm
Description: Community Based Organization.
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: HIV Counseling & Testing provides services & referrals for treatment and care for people who are at high risk for HIV, regardless of one's ability to pay at several sites across Cambridge and Somerville. Please call 617-591-6767 for testing dates and locations.
Description: Closed Wed., 12noon-3pm
Description: Social Service Organization. Book a telehealth appointment to place an order for the STD testing kit. During the COVID-19 pandemic PPLM is covering the cost of supplies and shipping for patients
Description: Need to register as a patient.
Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Hepatitis B and C, HIV and Syphilis are prevalent in the area. To rise to the challenge of bringing the infection rates down, STD testing clinics have been established to provide private and confidential testing services. Those with financial struggles have the option of using free clinics which charge rates which are income sensitive. Ordering testing is easy and fast. All that is needed after the order is placed is a trip to a local testing lab for STD test completion.
When compared with national average which are maintained in the Center for Disease Control database, this area has moderately lower rates of Chlamydia, average rates of Gonorrhea and higher rates for Syphilis (all stages).
Top STD Testing Locations in Cambridge, MA
Primary Item (H2)The Youth on Fire program serves homeless and street youth ages 14-24 during drop-in hours.
The Youth on Fire program doesnโt just provide HIV/STI tests, but also meals and snacks, check-in conversations, housing support referrals, and overdose prevention services. On a yearly basis, YOF services more than 200 young adults. Each passionate staff member believes each teenager that walks through their doors has the ability to make better lives for themselves. Itโs not just all about serious matters through, at times this organization does provide fun outings like picnics, cooking classes, and much more.
1 Church St, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
The Cambridge Teen Health Center is for teenagerโs and young adults ages 12-23 years old.
The Cambridge Health Alliance Teen Health Center is located at the Cambridge Rindge and Latin School. This location makes it easy for teenagers to get access to a variety of services like health education, referrals to top specialists, sexual and reproductive care, immigration support for minors, mental health services, and general primary care. This teen health center is located in a bigger city, so that means parking may be limited, so please be aware of their hours.
459 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
Fenway Health sees all patients and there are no unique qualifications in place before someone can be tested for sexually transmitted diseases.
The Ansin Building apart of Fenway Health provides LGBT parenting services, a violence recovery program, and womenโs health and transgender services in addition to all their other healthcare services. The Boylston location is located very close to Fenway Park. There is paid parking and public parking lots available to patients.
140 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02116, USA
This community-based organization has no prior requirements for anyone to meet before they can be tested for sexually transmitted diseases at their facility. The free walk-in clinic schedule for the Somerville location is held on Tuesdayโs from 4:00 pm โ 6:00 pm.
The Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers holds many events throughout the year to better fund their programs and services. These include their MAPS Annual Awards Gala, Chip-In for Charity Gold Tournament, and many more. Their informative and attentive staff members know how to communicate properly and address any concerns clients may be having when they walk through their doors, because of their good customer service this results in many clients coming back repeatedly. Overall, this organization is important for the Portuguese speaking community to better themselves and their families.
92 Union Square, Somerville, MA 02143, USA
The division of infectious diseases has no qualifications patients must meet before they are tested for sexually transmitted diseases. Insurance is not required for most services. Itโs also important to note this division also has P24 antigen HIV testing available too.
Patients wondering if they have an infectious disease or are already, living with an infectious disease will get top-notch quality care at this facility as their division is a leader in clinical care, treatment, research, education, and management. If you should have any questions or concerns about infectious diseases, their educated specialists can assist you.
55 Fruit St, Boston, MA 02114, USA
This Greater Boston Health Center has no qualifications in place for its sexually transmitted disease testing services. Just remember, if you are not insured, you may qualify for a state-funded program or a lower fee scale. Please bring the following documents with you to your first visit: pay stub, photo ID, and proof of residence.
The Greater Boston Health Center is a leading provider of sexual health and education for those of all ages. Patients who do not speak English, Spanish interpretation is available and interpretation in other languages can be arranged. This locationโs building does look more updated versus other Planned Parenthood locations. You will need to park somewhere, but keep in mind, close parking may not be available and you will need to perhaps walk a bit from a parking garage.
1055 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA
More educated people have a greater understanding of the risks associated with unprotected sex. Cambridge rates reflect lower numbers of people reporting Chlamydia and Gonorrhea than in many other sectors of the country. The troubling issue is the high Syphilis rate. There is a high likelihood that the majority of the population have a working knowledge of safe sex practices. They also realize the dangers of letting a potential STD infection go untreated and are willing to submit to testing and treatment when needed. There are pockets of poverty stricken communities within the Cambridge area. People from impoverished backgrounds are more likely to miss out on important sexual health education. This increases their risk for getting an STD. In addition, they may not recognize symptoms of STD infections or they may not realize their grave need to get tested.
Currently sexual health education campaigns underway in the area. Public schools provide mandatory sex education classes as a regular part of the curriculum. This is useful in reaching students before they are most likely to start experimenting with sex. If they suspect that they may have an STD, they will know where they can go for HIV testing or for a Herpes test. This information will be with them for the rest of their lives and the hope is that in the generations to come, that this will help to curb the spread of STD infections.
The internet is overflowing with public information about STD rates, symptoms and prevention for anyone that is interested. The Center for Disease Control posts updates on past and current STD rates with detailed tables in an effort to better inform the public about this massive health problem that is nationwide in scope.
Just a glance at STD rates over the past ten years shows that there are some consistent trends and patterns. Chlamydia is the most predominant form of sexually transmitted disease. Twice the number of women are diagnosed with this STD as men. The data has been consistent in the patterns that show which groups are at the most significant risk.
Anyone who has unprotected sex could get an STD. All it takes is having sexual relations with someone who is infected. Your risk goes up when you sleep with multiple partners or a person whose monogamy cannot be verified. It only takes once. Sexual behaviors and the presence or lack of safe sex practices are what can make or break you.
Some STDs will present with symptoms almost immediately, while others may not show any signs for weeks, months, or even years. The only way to know for sure is to get tested. You can quickly, easily and conveniently order your testing at any time. Youโll just need to follow up with your order by visiting a nearby testing lab for confidential and private testing completion. It doesnโt take much of your time. The average lab visit is between 15 and 20 minutes. In some cases, it takes even less time. If you have questions or concerns, you may ask the staff or technicians and they will do their best to answer to the best of their ability.
http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/docs/dph/cdc/aids/std-surveillance-2011.pdf
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.