Getting Tested for STDs in Athens, GA

If you are sexually active, regular STD screening is a matter of protecting your health. Don’t wait to get tested if you suspect you’ve been exposed to a sexually transmitted infection. There are free and low-cost clinics that provide confidential services. You can find walk-in clinics and those that accept insurance.

The prevalence of STDs is particularly high in Georgia. According to the latest STD data, in Clarke County, chlamydia is the most commonly reported STD, with 985 cases at a rate of 758.1 per 100,000 people. Georgia is 19th for gonorrhea.

STD testing is available daily at The Little Clinic, and it’s conveniently located inside the Kroger grocery store. Athens Nurses Clinics serves individuals who are low or no income with appointments available Monday through Wednesday. At Athens Neighborhood Health Center East, you can get no-cost PrEP medication to reduce the likelihood of HIV infection, along with a full STD testing panel.

Find an STD Testing Location in Athens, GA

Athens has confidential sexually transmitted disease (STD) testing through community clinics, public health centers, urgent care centers, and private labs. A health care provider can help you choose the right tests based on your symptoms, recent exposure, and the types of sex you have.

STD Testing Options in Athens, GA

You have several STD testing options in Athens. The right choice depends on cost, privacy, walk-in availability, and how soon you need results.

  • At-home testing kits: At-home STD tests let you collect a sample in private and mail it to a certified lab.
  • Community or public health clinic: City, county, and nonprofit clinics may offer confidential testing on a sliding scale or at no cost for some patients.
  • In-clinic testing: A primary care provider, OB-GYN, or urgent care center can order STD tests during a routine or same-day visit.
  • Private lab testing: Private labs, including LabCorp and Quest Diagnostics, collect samples for STD panels ordered through a provider. Some locations offer walk-in hours.

When Should I Get Tested for STDs?

Routine screening is one of the best ways to stay on top of your sexual health, even when you feel fine. Many sexually transmitted infections (STIs) cause no symptoms, so testing is the only reliable way to know your status. You may also want to get tested after unprotected sex, when starting a relationship with a new partner, or if a partner has been diagnosed with an STI. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) publishes CDC screening recommendations that can help you and your provider decide how often to test.

What Will Be Tested in an STD Panel?

Clinics can do individual STD tests or a panel. The right combination depends on your symptoms, partners, and recent exposure.

A routine STD panel may include:
– Chlamydia
– Gonorrhea
– HIV 1 and 2
– Syphilis

A full-panel STD test may also include:
– Herpes (oral, genital)
– Hepatitis (A, B, C)

How Much Will STD Testing Cost in Athens, GA?

STD testing in Athens can range from free at some community clinics to about $250 for larger private panels. Many insurance plans cover preventive STD screening at 100% with no copay. Low-cost clinics may use a sliding scale or offer no-cost testing for some patients. Private options, including at-home STD tests, often range from $35 to $175 per kit.

How Fast Will I Get My Test Results in Athens, GA?

Most STD test results are ready the same day to three business days, depending on the test. Rapid HIV tests may be ready in about 30 minutes, while lab-based tests for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis often take one to three business days after the lab receives your sample.

Herpes and hepatitis results are often ready in one to two business days. Some public clinics may take longer if the clinic sends samples to an outside lab. Ask when and how results will be shared, such as by phone, through a patient portal, or at a follow-up visit.

STI Statistics in Clarke County, Georgia

Chlamydia is the most reported STD in Clarke County, with 985 cases, or 758.1 per 100,000 people. Because it often has no symptoms, routine testing plays a big role in finding cases early.

Gonorrhea is the second most reported STD in the county, with 328 cases at a rate of 252.4 per 100,000 people. Together, chlamydia and gonorrhea make up most of the 1,346 STD cases reported in Clarke County.

HIV also affects the local community, with 478 reported cases at a rate of 417.5 per 100,000 people. Confidential testing helps connect people to care earlier, and you can explore STD testing in Georgia for additional statewide options. You can review the latest numbers on the CDC STI statistics page.



Cities Near Athens, GA for STD Testing

Free STD Testing Centers in Athens, GA

Athens has limited dedicated sexual health clinics, so nearby community clinics in Atlanta may also be worth considering. Many offer confidential testing on a sliding scale or at no cost for some patients.

AID Atlanta

  • Address: 1605 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
  • Number: (404) 870-7700
  • Hours: Not listed

Feminist Women’s Health Center

  • Address: 1924 Cliff Valley Way NE, Atlanta, GA 30329
  • Number: (404) 728-7900
  • Hours: Not listed

Planned Parenthood Atlanta

  • Address: 440 Moreland Ave. SE, Atlanta, GA 30316
  • Number: (404) 688-9300
  • Hours:
    • Monday: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
    • Tuesday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
    • Wednesday: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
    • Thursday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
    • Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
    • Saturday: Closed
    • Sunday: Closed

Women’s Clinic of Atlanta

  • Address: 125 Clairemont Ave., Decatur, GA 30030
  • Number: (404) 377-6640
  • Hours:
    • Monday: 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
    • Tuesday: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
    • Wednesday: 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
    • Thursday: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
    • Friday: Closed
    • Saturday: Not listed
    • Sunday: Not listed