Free STD Testing in Ellicott City, MD

Howard County and its seat, Ellicott City, report that chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis are its most prevalent STDs. In 2018, the county’s chlamydia rate of 364.4 per 100,000 individuals was the highest, followed by gonorrhea’s 79.7, and an overall rate of 7.2 for primary and secondary syphilis.

Of Maryland’s 35,482 cases of chlamydia reported in 2018, Howard County accounted for 1,170. While the county’s documented chlamydia cases rose 3% between 2017 and 2018, the state’s numbers increased 6% during the same time frame.

Females under age 35 accounted for the highest rates statewide, particularly in the 20-24 category. However, males over the age of 35 outpaced females with chlamydia.

Maryland’s chlamydia cases were representative of the United States’ statistics. Females under the age of 35 outnumbered males with the highest incidents in the 20-24 range. However, the state’s female rate of 4,525 4 per 100,000 outflanked the nation’s 4,064.6 in the same category. Its male 2,140 per 100,000 population also exceeded the country’s 1,784.5. Nationally, males also outnumbered females over 35 years of age.

Although Maryland’s total number of gonorrhea cases decreased by 6% between 2017 and 2018, the state’s 10,305 cases represented a 69% increase since 2014. Howard County’s 255 cases accounted for 34% growth during the same period.

As with chlamydia, the highest incidents of gonorrhea occurred in the 20-24 age group; however, males outnumbered females beginning at age 20. With a male rate of 727 per 100,000 to the female’s 685, Maryland’s male rate of 727 per 100,000 surpassed the country’s 720.9. Its female rate of 685 per 100,000 also rivaled the United States’ 702.6.

While rates increased for all racial groups in Maryland between 2014 and 2018, Black residents comprised the highest numbers. The group’s rate of 361.1 per 100,000 cases represented a 129.5 per 100,000 growth rate.

Maryland’s rate of primary and secondary syphilis infections increased from 5.5 per 100,000 persons in 2009 to 12.2 cases per 100,000 in 2018, representing 222% growth. Howard County’s 25 infections equated to 7.8 per 100,000 individuals and a 65% increase between 2014 and 2018.

Males accounted for the majority of primary and secondary syphilis cases in 2018. At 89% of all cases, the highest numbers were reported in the 25-29-year-old age group. In fact, Maryland’s male population rated 76.1 per 100,000 individuals as opposed to the country’s 51.9 in the same demographic.

Rates among Black residents in Maryland was more than three times that of other racial groups. African American’s 2018 rate of 27.5 per 100,000 residents represented a 33% increase over 2014’s rates. All racial groups saw a significant growth rate during the same time period, however. Asians’ 2.5 per 100,000 more than tripled its 2014 rate, as did the Hispanic population, which rose from 3.2 to 9.0 during the same time. Likewise, whites nearly doubled their incident rates from 2.8 to 5.3 per 100,000.

Those infected with an STD are often asymptomatic or incorrectly attribute symptoms to another ailment. Individuals may pass on an STD without realizing they’re infected. That’s why it’s so critical for sexually active adolescents and adults to seek regular testing. While STDs are treatable, they can lead to serious medical problems, such as infertility and cancer, without proper care. There are a number of free and low-cost clinics in Howard County and the surrounding areas that can provide the necessary resources for the uninsured.

The Howard County Health Department provides a range of health care services. The clinic’s multilingual STD program works with clients on a sliding-fee scale. Its professional staff screens for and treats chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis as well as trichomoniasis and genital warts. The health department also offers HIV/AIDS screenings. Its clinic provides a hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and Gardasil vaccine prevention program for patients aged 19 to 26.

8930 Stanford Boulevard
Columbia, MD 21045
410-313-7500
Website

Chase Brexton offers HIV and STD testing, assessment, treatment, and prescriptions. The flat-fee clinic charges $35 per visit and provides services for current patients by appointment and new patients on a first-come walk-in basis. The facility screens for HIV, hepatitis B and C, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. It also offers PrEP and PEP HIV prevention methods. Although the STD clinic is located in Mt. Vernon, Chase Brexton offers a variety of services, including dental care, OB/GYN, substance use, and psychiatry, at its six locations throughout the area.

1111 North Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
410-837-2050
Website

Individuals who live or work east of Ellicott City may want to consider visiting Planned Parenthood in Baltimore City. The clinic offers men and women STD testing and treatment in addition to HPV and hepatitis A and B vaccines. The facility’s trained professionals also provide HIV testing and referrals as well as PEP and PrEP prevention services. Planned Parenthood’s care extends to general health care for men and women and birth control, pregnancy, and abortion resources. The clinic works with the uninsured on a sliding-fee scale and accepts a variety of insurance plans.

330 North Howard Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
410-576-1414
Website

The Baltimore County Department of Health offers STD testing and treatment at seven locations throughout the county. Working on a sliding-fee scale, the clinic’s trained professionals provide confidential services for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis, as well as other STDs. The health department also offers HIV testing and referral resources. Additionally, the clinics provide emergency contraception, birth control services, and pregnancy testing. The facilities’ healthcare professionals work with high-risk populations, including adolescents, the homeless, and LGBTQ, assisting with screenings, treatments, and referrals for a range of medical and mental health concerns.

6401 York Road,
Third Floor
Baltimore, MD 21212
410-887-2243
Website

Those who live east of Ellicott City have the option of seeking STD testing and treatment at the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services. The clinic’s trained professionals provide free, anonymous, and confidential services for STDs as well as HIV/AIDS, including pretest and post-test counseling. Additionally, the healthcare facility delivers general health services and behavioral health and substance abuse treatment resources.

2000 Dennis Avenue
Silver Spring, MD 20902
240-777-1760
Website

• https://phpa.health.maryland.gov/OIDPCS/CSTIP/CSTIPDocuments/Reports/STI%202018%20Annual%20Report%20Maryland.pdf
• https://www.cdc.gov/std/stats18/toc.htm