Preferred Location: 512 Maple Dr Vidalia,GA 30474 Vidalia Change location
SaferSTD Preferred Location: 512 Maple Dr Vidalia,GA 30474 Vidalia Change Location
In between visiting the Coca Cola Factory and exploring the Savannah coast, it is important to remember to visit your local STD clinic regularly for testing, especially since Georgia has some of the highest rates of Syphilis, Gonorrhea, and Chlamydia in the country. There are numerous free STD testing centers available in the peach state, and with a single phone call, you can avoid the lack of privacy and long wait. Schedule private STD testing and only wait 15-20 minutes at the lab, which leaves you plenty of time to find out Coca Cola’s secret formula.
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. HIV Services: No fees if patient falls below federal poverty level. Free condoms available upon request.
Description: Public Health Department/Social Services Department. HIV Services: No fees if patient falls below federal poverty level. Free condoms available upon request.
Show only locations where you can easily book your test online.
Description: Public Health Department/Social Services Department. HIV testing is $25.00. However there is no fee if patient falls below federal poverty level.
Description: Need to enroll as a patient in order to access services.
Description: Public Health Department/Social Services Department. HIV Services: No fees if patient falls below federal poverty level.
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. HIV Services: No fees if patient is below federal poverty level.
Description: Public Health Department/Social Services Department. HIV Services: No fees if patient is below federal poverty level. Free condoms available upon request.
Description: Public Health Department/Social Services Department. HPV vaccines for VFC-eligible patients only. Hepatitis A, B, and C testing not provided routinely; available for high risk patients. Closed 12pm-1pm for lunch
Description: Need to enroll as a patient in order to access services.
Description: Public Health Department/Social Services Department. There is a fee for STD/HIV and HIV only testing. No fees if patient is below federal poverty level. Free condoms available upon request.
Description: Public Health Department/Social Services Department. Free condoms available upon request.
Description: Public Health Department/Social Services Department. HIV Services: No fees if patient falls below federal poverty level.
Description: Public Health Department/Social Services Department. HIV Services: No fees if patient falls below federal poverty level. Free condoms available upon request.
Description: Need to enroll as a patient in order to access services.
According to a 2013 CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) report, the state ranked in the top ten for the highest STD rates in the country: fourth for syphilis, eighth for Chlamydia, and seventh for Gonorrhea. Twenty years prior, these rates were significantly lower. While its rates of Chlamydia and other STIs did have a short lapse from 2011-2013, they are again on the rise, primarily due to lack of funding for safe sex programs.
Some additional statistics are:
As is the case with many states, Georgia’s youth seem to be the major contributors to its high sexually transmitted disease rates. In 2009-2013, those aged 15-24 had the highest rates of chlamydia, while those aged 25 and above maintained relatively low levels. It is no wonder, then, that the state’s public health officials are working to instill the important of safe sex and regular testing into the state’s youth, but with limited funding for sex education programs, this is a difficult task.
While the state’s public health officials have taken steps toward lowering the rates of HIV and other STDs, experts are concerned that the state’s sex education courses are not properly funded and neglect teaching crucial topics. According to a report by the CDC, more than two-thirds of all Georgia schools failed to teach all of the recommended sexual education topics, with educating about condom usage being particularly low.
Georgia law requires that sexual programs, including those for HIV, emphasize abstinence until marriage, but does not require that students learn comprehensive knowledge and skills for avoiding contraction of sexually transmitted diseases. Statistics show that although abstinence is one of the healthier options, abstinence-only curricula prove inefficient, and may actually cause sexually active adolescents to avoid the use of contraceptives. Therefore, despite a consistent need for sexual education, students across the state receive anything but.
As a result, the majority of the populace has taken a lax approach to practicing safe sex and being tested for STDs. This has proven extremely detrimental to the state’s overall sexual health, with its youth being the major victims. With the state’s HIV and herpes rates slowly rising, this comes at a time when it is even more crucial for sexually active people to get HIV testing and Herpes testing. Fortunately, parents and major professional health organizations such as the American Public Health Association are in support of not only teaching abstinence but also teaching comprehensive sex education in schools.
There seem to be quite a few areas in the state that are especially prone to high STD rates. These include Columbus (ranked 40th nationally), the metro-Atlanta area (accounted for more than 60% of HIV cases in the state), and the health districts of Savannah, Augusta, Columbus, and Macon (accounted for nearly 20% collectively). STD clinics are progressively developing in these areas and increasing their methods of sexually transmitted infections prevention.
Also shown in STD statistics for this state was that one of its most diverse communities, gay/bisexual men, had the highest risk for contraction of HIV and other STDs. An estimated 55-61% of all new HIV/AIDS cases reported were in the category of men who have sex with men (MSM). Even though all men are at risk for developing STDs, the MSM community is at a significantly higher risk of contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
Gender also plays a major role. From years 2009-2013, the rates of chlamydia among females were significantly higher than the rates among men, whereas men had higher rates of syphilis. This is not to say that one gender is at a lower risk of contracting specific STDs than the other. The discrepancy in rates is partly accredited to embarrassment and social stereotypes.
The prosperous peach state has something for everyone: beautiful scenery, popular attractions – and high rates of chlamydia, HIV, gonorrhea, and syphilis. Georgia is a beautiful, flourishing state, but a lack of education about sexual health has left it with a huge STD crisis. Fortunately, both public and private STD clinics have advanced and offer more options than ever before when it comes to testing, support, and advice.
While it has its ways of handling the challenges of educating the population about sexual health through outreach programs, sex education, and STD clinics, private citizens may benefit by doing their own research about STDs and what they can do to prevent infection. Parents should also discuss these topics with their children and instill a sense of important when it comes to protected sex.
In today’s day and age, it is more crucial than ever to receive STD testing, but the possibility of being seen and the long lines deters many citizens from doing so. To avoid these problems you can make a simple call and schedule confidential STD testing. The testing process only takes 20 minutes, which will leave you plenty time to explore Downtown Atlanta.
https://www.cdc.gov/nchhstp/stateprofiles/pdf/georgia_profile.pdf