Preferred Location: 1424 East Ridge Road Ste2 Mcallen,TX 78503 McAllen Change location
SaferSTD Preferred Location: 1424 East Ridge Road Ste2 Mcallen,TX 78503 McAllen Change Location
The reported cases of primary and secondary syphilis in Hidalgoย Countyย rose to a seven-year high in 2016, withย 27.3 reported cases per 100,000 people. In addition,ย chlamydia makes up eighty-six percent of all reported STD’sย in Hidalgoย County, outpacing all the other STD’s.ย However, the HIV rate has remained steady in Hidalgoย County since 2016, at 9.2 reported cases per every 100,000 people.
Currently,ย Hidalgoย County’s population is 831,073 and per every one hundred thousand people, 521.3 haveย an STD.
Options for local STD testing include Nuestra Clinica Del Valle (San Juan Women’s Health Center) on West 3rd street andย Nuestra Clinica Del Valle (San Juan Women’s Health Center) located on Hackberryย Ave.
Otherย STD testing options include the El Milagro Clinic on East Vermont Ave.,ย Hidalgo County Health and Human Services (Hidalgo County Health Department) located onHackberry, and ย Valley AIDS Council (McAllen Clinic) on Southย Second Street.
In addition, theย University of Texas Medical Branch (Regional Maternal and Child Health Program) on Southย Broadway may also be a good option for local STD testing.
There are STD testing facilities that may offer free STD testing as well, however,ย many locations that provide free testing may not offer the option to schedule an appointment or may have income eligibility restrictions as well as require welfare eligibility. Many of these locations may also require payment for a doctors consultation and many STD tests may not be comprehensive.
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 Valley AIDS Council is a facility that provides HIV prevention, education, and testing services. This council was created in 1987 when the county departments of Cameron and Hidalgo and Planned Parenthood met with the Texas Department of Health due to an increase in HIV/AIDS cases. For more than 25 years, this clinic has been providing HIV and STI related services in the Rio Grande Valley area.
The Nuestra Clinica Del Valle, Inc. is a federally qualified health center that helps families who are considered low income and uninsured in Hidalgo and Starr counties. Nuestra Clinica Del Valle was established in the community in 1971. The San Juan Womenโs Health Center has five providers at their clinic facility. Any questions about the clinic can be addressed to the clinic coordinator Andy Gamez.
The University of Texas Medical Branch operates the Regional Maternal and Child Health Program. The Regional Maternal and Child Health Program is dedicated to improving the lives of women and families. This health program provides health care, counseling, and education. Besides STD testing, this program offers services related to pregnancy, child health, family planning, and cancer screenings for breast and cervical cancer.
The El Milagro Clinic has been providing primary health care and some specialized services to residents of the Lower Rio Grande Valley region since 1996. The mission of this clinic is to help provide care and support to those who are medically indigent. This clinic has twenty-one employees from operations manager, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, registered dietitians, medical assistants, and many more passionate staff members.
Access Esperanza Clinics is the oldest and the largest family planning centers in southern Texas. This agency has more than 50 years of experience helping men and women gain the access they need towards health care so they live healthier lives for years to come. The First United Methodist Church founded this agency in 1964. Some services provided at the Rev Mary English Center include womenโs exams, menโs exams, teen services like STI testing and treatment, and much more.
The Elsa Health Center is one of the many health clinics that the Hidalgo County Health Department operates. The Hidalgo County Health Department wants to help all residents and their loved ones achieve and maintain optimal health. The Hidalgo County Health and Human Services Department was established on January 1, 1933. This department helps protect residents against disease outbreaks, natural disasters, tuberculosis, and other diseases and injuries.
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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: Services for women only. Need to register as a patient.
Description: Need to register as a patient.
Description: Social Service Organization. *Saturdays for supplies only. Active patients may request STI testing & treatment
Show only locations where you can easily book your test online.
Description: Community Based Organization. Must become a patient of the clinic to receive services.
Description: Public Health Department/Social Services Department.
Description: AIDS Service Organization. Must be 13 years of age and older. HIV/STI testing by appointment Mon.-Thurs., 9am-12noon and 1pm-4pm
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: Social Service Organization. *Saturdays for supplies only. Active patients may request STI testing & treatment
Description: Public Health Department/Social Services Department. HIV-antibody testing available through family planning clinics. Referrals given for others. Free condoms available. Services provided will vary according to available staff. Therefore, all walk-ins are recommended to call & verify times of services. Clinics are closed for services on holidays approved by the Court
Description: Need to register as a patient.
Description: Public Health Department/Social Services Department. Free condoms available.
Description: Social Service Organization.
Description: Public Health Department/Social Services Department. Free condoms available.
Description: Need to register as a patient.
Description: Social Service Organization.
Description: Public Health Department/Social Services Department. Services provided will vary according to available staff. Therefore, it is recommended that all walk-ins should call & verify times of services
Description: Need to register as a patient.
The Chlamydia rate in Hidalgo County has remained relatively stable over the last seven years. In 2016, the county rate was 414.8 per 100,000 population, and in 2009 it was 419.7 per 100,000 population. The rate reached a high in 2014 at 436.5. The rate in Hidalgo is lower than the Texas rate of 494.4. The countyโs cases account for 2.5% of the stateโs total cases.
The Gonorrhea rate in Hidalgo County peaked in 2012 and decreased slightly in the following years. In 2016, there were 410 cases reported at a rate of 48.2 per 100,000 population. The Texas rate, however, reached an all-time high in 2016. There were a total of 40,971 Gonorrhea cases in Texas at a rate of ย 147.0 per 100,000 population. Only 1% of Texasโs cases were found in Hidalgo County.
In Hidalgo County, Syphilis has shown the most concerning trends in recent years. In fact, the rate reached a seven-year high in 2016. The rate for Primary and Secondary Syphilis was 27.3 per 100,000 population in Hidalgo County. In comparison, the statewide rate was 32.6 per 100,000 population.
In 2016, there were 78 new cases of HIV in Hidalgo County and a rate of 9.2 per 100,000 population. The statewide rate was higher at 16.1 per 100,000 population. The county rate has remained relatively stable over the past ten years.
Top STD Testing Locations in Pharr, TX
Primary Item (H2)In order to receive STI or HIV testing at this facility, the individual must be at least 13 years old. Their HIV testing is completed using the Insti HIV-1 Antibody Test. Results are usually ready the same day. Conventional blood tests for HIV can be conducted and results for this form of test is ready within two weeks. Testing for syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia usually takes about two weeks to get results back. Hepatitis C testing can be arranged if you or your provider is worried about being co-infected with Hepatitis C. All testing is free of charge.
The Valley AIDS Council opened its McAllen health clinic in 1995. This health clinic is a one-story light brown building with its own parking lot that has plenty of parking available. This facility is located next to the McAllen Careers Institute. Patients do not need to part of the LGBT community to get testing services completed.
300 S 2nd St #101, Hidalgo, TX 78557, USA
The San Juan Womenโs Health Center only provides its services to women only. Individuals need to register as a patient first before they can be enrolled in any of their services. These are the only qualifications in place at this clinic.
The Nuestra Clinica Del Valle (NCDV) has 11 clinic locations throughout Hidalgo and Starr counties. The San Juan Womenโs Health Center is a white and peach-colored building with its own parking lot with several handicapped and non-handicapped spaces available to the public.
806 W 3rd St, San Juan, TX 78589, USA
The Regional Maternal and Child Health Program require that individuals enroll as a patient. Through several available funding sources, eligible women may receive services at no free or at a reduced fee based on family income and size. Family planning services are open to men too.
The Regional Maternal and Child Health Program provide medical, counseling, and referral services to women who need it. This facility is a smaller clinic that has a small parking lot, but the services provided are leading and innovative. This clinic is located next to Jayโs Pharmacy. This clinic is also located across the street from the McAllen City Hall.
620 S Broadway St, McAllen, TX 78501, USA
In order to receive sexually transmitted disease testing services, the person must become a patient of the clinic. Besides this one qualification, there are no other qualifications in place at this community-based organization.
The El Milagro Clinic has been providing primary health care in addition to behavioral health, womenโs health care, laboratory services, immunizations, prescription assistance, counseling, diabetes support, and more for several years. They have gained a positive reputation instilled with trust in the communities in which they serve. This clinic is a brown brick one-story building with plenty of parking available. This clinic is located between the Texas A&M Health Science Center and the South Texas College Nursing and Allied Health Center.
901 E Vermont Ave, McAllen, TX 78503, USA
This social service organization provides confidential STI and HIV testing services with no qualifications in place. If youโre uninsured, you may qualify for a state-funded program or a lower fee scale. Please bring the following documents: birth certificate, pay stub, photo ID, and proof of residency. If you test positive for HIV, their staff may confirm this with a second test, which is sent to a lab. These results are ready within 5 days.
This health care facility offers primary and preventive health care services to individuals who are considered low-income. At the Rev Mary English Center, patients will find a clean, spacious facility that offers people affordable services. Patients may have to wait longer than expected at this clinic, but their staff is helpful, educated, and sensitive.
916 E Hackberry Ave Suite B, McAllen, TX 78501, USA
The Elsa Health Clinic doesnโt have any requirements for STD testing at their clinic. This clinic does provide HIV testing for pregnant women and family planning patients only.
The Elsa Health Center provides public health services that help residents improve and maintain their health. At this health center provides educational outreach and sessions that promote healthy living options to all people. This facility is located in front of the Santa Cruz Day Care for Adults.
708 E Edinburg Ave, Elsa, TX 78543, USA
The Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District is located in Pharr, and it operates the public schools in the community. These schools include Pharr-San Juan-Alamo North Early College High School, Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Southwest Early College High School, Jaime Escalante Middle School, Kennedy Middle School, LBJ Middle School and Liberty Middle School.
Texas law does not require that sexual health or HIV education be taught in public schools. It is only 1 of 16 states that does not mandate HIV education. The Texas Health and Safety Code only outcomes minimal guidelines that the state โshall develop model education programs to be available to educate the public about AIDS and HIV infection.โ
The instructional policies of the Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District do not mention health or sexual education. While these topics may be discussed in local schools, their absence from school district policies is concerning.
Comprehensive sexual education is critical to achieving better health outcomes in Pharr and throughout Hidalgo County. Teens and young adults are often most affected by the spread of STDs and HIV. Sexual education instructs students about how to reduce high-risk behaviors and how to access testing and contraception resources.
Sexual education resources may be found at local health clinics. Consult professionals at Nuestra Clinica Del Valle, Access Esperanza Clinics Incorporated or Valley AIDS Council for more information.
In Texas, the female rate for Chlamydia is more than double the male rate. In 2016, the rate for females was 696.3 per 100,000 population. The male rate was 287.1 per 100,000 population. In recent years, the male rate has been slowly increasing, while the female rate has remained stable. The African American rate is highest among ethnic groups at 908 per 100,000 population. The rate has been decreasing recently.
Since 2009, the male rate for Gonorrhea has been rising. The rate has increased by 55% from 2009 to 2016. Among ethnic groups, African Americans show the highest rates. In 2016, the rate was 421.8 per 100,000 population. Young people were most affected by the spread of Gonorrhea in Texas. The 20-24 age bracket had the highest rate in 2016.
Primary and Secondary Syphilis show the most concerning trends in Texas. The overall rate has been increasing in recent years. In particular, the male rate has shown a steady rise. Between 2009 and 2016, the male rate increased by 45%. In 2016, the rate was 52.5 per 100,000 population. The rate for African Americans was 84.4 per 100,000 population in 2016.
The HIV diagnosis rate for African Americans was highest in 2016. The rate was 47.8 per 100,000 population. Hispanics had the second highest rate. Males were most affected by the spread of HIV. Older individuals showed higher HIV rates in Texas. Individuals aged 40 to 44 years old had the most cases. Similar to nationwide trends, the most common means of transmission was male-to-male sex.
Where can you find STI testing resources in the Pharr area? The Hidalgo County Health Department and other area clinics offer these services. Donโt wait to get tested at one of these locations in Hidalgo County.
The Hidalgo County Health Department serves the community by promoting better health outcomes through testing and treatment services. The McAllen Clinic is located nearby at 300 E Hackberry Avenue in McAllen. The following services are available here: Hepatitis B Vaccine, Chlamydia Test, Conventional HIV Blood Test, Syphilis Test, Gonorrhea Test and Hepatitis A Vaccine.
In recent years, the Texas legislature has enacted several laws that defund Planned Parenthood facilities in the state of Texas. Due to these budget cuts, Planned Parenthood locations in the Pharr have been closed. Local residents must now travel about 45 minutes to Harlingen for the nearest Planned Parenthood location.
At Planned Parenthoodโs Harlingen Health Center, STD testing resources are available for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Herpes and HIV. These testing services include rapid HIV blood tests. Free condoms and educationals materials can also be accessed here. Low-cost options may be available for individuals without health insurance.
Another options for STD testing services is Nuestra Clinica Del Valle. This is a qualified health center that serves underserved populations in Hidalgo and Starr Counties. ย The San Juan Clinic is located at 801 W 1st Street in San Juan. Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Chlamydia and HIV tests are offered here. Patients must register to be tested. Clinical services may be available for uninsured individuals.
Critical gaps exist in Texas public health resources, especially when it comes to sexual education. For this reason, health clinics, primary care providers and local communities must make a greater effort to address the sexual health issues in Hidalgo County.
In particular, medical professionals and public health officials must stress the importance of STD testing. Regular testing is recommended for all individuals in Pharr who are sexually active. Safe and reliable STD testing resources are available in the community.
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.