STD Testing in Covington, LA

Regular STD testing is important if you’re sexually active. You can get free or low-cost testing at many clinics in the Covington area.

In 2019, Louisiana had the fifth-highest level of congenital syphilis and gonorrhea and the third-highest level of chlamydia in the nation. Covington residents should be particularly diligent in protecting their sexual health.

DePaul Community Health Center in Metairie provides STD testing and hepatitis A and B vaccines with a sliding fee scale for self-pay patients that start as low as $35. Planned Parenthood offers STD testing and treatment at its New Orleans Health Center and HPV vaccines. The clinic also offers language services, which you can request when scheduling your appointment. The START Community Health Center also provides vaccines and STD testing, and while it accepts most major insurance plans, you don’t need to be insured to be seen.

At-Home STD Testing

Testing for STDs at home is safe, convenient, and private. Performed regularly, it can help you stay healthy and avoid unknowingly transmitting STDs.

You have many options for at-home STD testing. The best at-home STD tests are FDA approved and evaluated for safety and accuracy with fast result turnaround times and support from health care professionals.

At-home STD testing kits should include instructions for collection and test registration, along with materials such as containers and swabs to collect and send your sample to the lab. Most at-home STD tests offer results in about five days through a secure online patient portal.

Choose the STD testing option you’re most comfortable with:

• Private clinic: Your primary care physician or OB-GYN can order STD tests.
• Local lab: Some labs offer direct testing without a doctor’s orders.
• Community clinic: A community clinic, such as city or county clinics, or nonprofit organizations may offer STD testing. Some offer STD tests for free or low cost.

At home: You can test for STDs at home using a kit and send your sample to a lab for analysis.

When Should I Get Tested for STDs?

If you think you might have an STD, it’s best to get tested. STDs don’t go away if you ignore them; they’ll just get worse and could grow into more serious health consequences. If left untreated, some STDs can lead to issues like infertility and more serious infections. You can also spread STDs to sexual partners if you have an untreated infection.

Ask your health care provider for STD testing recommendations or follow CDC recommendations for STD testing.

What Will Be Tested in an STD Panel?

You can request specific STD tests or a full panel. An STD clinic can recommend tests based on your sexual health and symptoms.

A routine STD panel may include:

• Chlamydia
• Gonorrhea
• HIV 1 and 2
• Syphilis

A full-panel STD test adds:

• Herpes (oral, genital)
• Hepatitis (A, B, C)

How Much Will STD Testing Cost in Covington, LA?

The cost of an STD test will vary by location and test type. Some clinics, usually community or nonprofit clinics, offer free or low-cost testing. Labs, clinics, and at-home testing companies may accept insurance to cover or lower your cost of testing.

Lab testing fees range from $8 to $150. At home tests cost between $35 and $175 per test.

Do I Need an Appointment for Testing in Covington, LA?

Appointment policies vary by location, so call ahead or check the clinic website before you head in for a test. Some clinics or testing centers accept walk-ins or have same-day or next-day appointments.

How Fast Will I Get My Test Results in Covington, LA?

Your STD test results time will depend on the test. Some clinics offer rapid HIV testing, which can offer results in less than 30 minutes. Bacterial STD testing (chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis) takes several days to get results, while viral STD testing (HPV, herpes, or HIV) results can take just one to two days.

Community-based STD testing organizations generate awareness and foster social change while providing access to testing and treatment.

If you’re concerned about visiting your regular doctor or can’t afford the cost of private testing, a community testing center may be able to help. While community testing centers may charge a fee for STD testing, it’s common to find free or low-cost testing from these resources:

CrescentCare offers walk-in rapid HIV testing Tuesdays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Take-home HIV tests are available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It offers chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes, and HIV testing and treatment by appointment. Services in Spanish are available on Tuesdays from noon to 4 p.m. You may qualify for a sliding fee discount.

1631 Elysian Fields Avenue New Orleans, LA 70117, 504-821-2601
Website

DePaul Community Health Center in Metairie offers chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV, and hepatitis C testing, and hepatitis A and B vaccines. It accepts commercial insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid but also offers a sliding fee scale for self-pay patients. If you qualify for discounted services, you may pay a nominal $35 to $95. You must schedule an appointment during the community health center’s operating hours, which are Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

111 North Causeway Boulevard Metairie, LA 70001, 504-482-0084
Website

The Jefferson Parish Health Unit provides HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis testing, and HPV and hepatitis A and B vaccines. Some of its services are free, but others have an administrative fee and additional costs charged on a sliding scale. The clinic also accepts Medicaid and private insurance and requires appointments. The Jefferson Parish Health Unit is open Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursdays are for women, infants, and children only.

111 North Causeway Boulevard Metairie, LA 70001, 504-838-5100, ext 139
Website

Planned Parenthood offers HIV testing and syphilis, chlamydia, herpes, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, genital warts, bacterial vaginosis testing, and treatment at its New Orleans Health Center. It also offers HPV vaccines, PrEP, and male/female condoms. Interpretation services are available for most languages, but you must request this service when scheduling your appointment. Payment is expected when you receive service unless you make other arrangements in advance. Planned Parenthood is open Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Fridays from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

4636 South Claiborne Avenue New Orleans, LA 70125, 504-897-9200
Website

START Community Health Center provides low-cost chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV, hepatitis B and C, syphilis, and herpes testing. It also offers hepatitis A and B and HPV vaccines and accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance. If you’re uninsured, ask about its sliding scale discount based on your income and household size. Appointments are required during clinic hours, which are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

1505 North Florida Street Covington, LA 70433, 985-900-1626
Website

• CDC | 2019 STD Surveillance Report | Last accessed September 2021
• CDC | Which STD Tests Should I Get? | Last accessed September 2021
• HHS | Your Rights Under HIPAA | Last accessed September 2021