Free STD Testing in Elgin, IL

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.

In Elgin, the most common STDs include chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. Data published by the Illinois Department of Public Health shows that all of these STDs were documented at a higher rate in 2017 over the previous year.

In 2018, the CDC reported that there were 77,325 documented cases of chlamydia in Illinois, which corresponds with a frequency of 604 infections per 100,000 people. This is considerably higher than the national rate of 539.9. The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin region accounted for 60,221 of those cases for an even higher rate of 631.7. The majority of these infections (63%) were reported in females. However, between 2014 and 2018, the number of males who were diagnosed with chlamydia increased significantly. In 2014, 15,679 males in this region, or 335.7 per 100,000 males, were diagnosed with this disease. In 2018, the number increased to 22,204 for a rate of 475.6.

In 2018, the CDC documented 19,578 incidences of gonorrhea in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin region. This is nearly a 6% increase over the number reported in 2017 and a 55% increase over the number of cases in 2014. Between 2014 and 2018, there was an increase of about 23% in the number of disclosed cases in females in the Elgin region. However, the increase among males was considerably more dramatic at nearly 82%. Statewide, those aged 20-24 are considerably more likely to be diagnosed with gonorrhea. Among those in this age bracket, gonorrhea was reported at a frequency of 871.3 out of 100,000 people.

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) remain one of the most critical public health challenges facing the United States, with approximately 26 million new STD infections occurring every year. Nearly half of these new infections affect young people ages 15 to 24.

Community-based organizations are a vital first line of defense in the fight against STDs and HIV/AIDS in particular. They generate awareness and foster social change while providing access to testing and treatment.

You may not be aware of all the STD resources available in Elgin that can help prevent the spread of STDs. Get connected with these community organizations that are leading the fight against STDs and HIV/AIDS with resources and support:

Summit Health Center is operated by Greater Elgin Family Care Center and provides a variety of healthcare services for adults and seniors, including chronic disease management, preventative care services, free pregnancy testing, and STD testing and treatment. Appointments are required for services and can be made over the phone, and same-day or next-day appointments are typically available. The clinic accepts patients with and without health insurance, and no one is turned away for inability to pay. Uninsured patients may be eligible for the clinic’s sliding fee discount program and may have services fully discounted, depending on their income and family size.

373 Summit Street
Elgin, IL 60120
(847) 608-1344
Gefcc.org

Open Door Health Center is a sexual health and wellness services provider in the Greater Fox Valley region that offers comprehensive, stigma-free care, specifically for those in the LGBTQI+ community. It has certified counselors who can help clients assess their own risk of contracting HIV and STDs and provide education and referrals for supportive services. The center also provides confidential and anonymous testing at its Elgin location and at community events, schools, and other organizations. Testing is available at the Elgin clinic by appointment. Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance plans are accepted, and qualifying individuals are charged based on a sliding scale.

1665 Larkin Avenue
Elgin, IL 60123
(847) 695-1093
Odhcil.org

VNA Health Center is located in Aurora, about 20 miles to the south of Elgin, and offers a wide array of health care services for area residents. Patients may receive simple and confidential STD testing. Those without health insurance may qualify for free testing and treatment. In addition to STD testing and treatment, the clinic provides other health services, such as mental and behavioral health, mammography, nutrition counseling, and podiatry. Appointments are needed for services and can be made by calling the clinic, and same-day appointments may be available.

400 N. Highland Avenue
Aurora, IL 60506
(630) 892-4355
Vnahealth.com

Ecker Center for Behavioral Health is a behavioral treatment center that provides addiction prevention and treatment services. This nonprofit agency offers an array of clinical services for those living with addiction, including drug and alcohol prevention services and community outreach programs. Its prevention program offers free testing for HIV, gonorrhea, and chlamydia for those who are at risk. Testing is available by appointment on-site or on a walk-in basis through the outreach program, which provides testing and counseling services at public venues, such as bars and parks.

2 American Way
Elgin, IL 60120
(847) 695-0484 x7
Eckercenter.org

• https://www.cdc.gov/std/stats18/STDSurveillance2018-full-report.pdf
• https://gis.cdc.gov/grasp/nchhstpatlas/charts.html