STD Testing in Folsom, CA

STDs can be sneaky. It’s possible to become infected with diseases like chlamydia or gonorrhea and not know it – and then pass it on to your sexual partners. The good news is protecting yourself and others is easy. Take advantage of the low-cost (sometimes free) and confidential STD screenings that are available in your community.

STD testing is not something you should put off, considering that the California Department of Public Health reports that STDs are increasing in all areas of the state. In Sacramento County, where Folsom is located, the CDC’s Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance Report 2018 shows it’s ranked 15th in the nation for reported cases of primary and secondary syphilis, 17th for chlamydia, and 27th for gonorrhea.

Don’t delay. Check out a community center like Sacramento County Department of Health Services Sexual Health Clinic where you can get screened and treated for STDs, especially if you’re part of an at-risk population.

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 Folsom, CA?

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 Folsom, CA?

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 Folsom, CA?

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:

Folsom Community Health Center is a community clinic that makes health care available to underserved populations, including those who don’t have health insurance coverage. The clinic provides a broad range of services, including medical care, dental care, mental health care, women’s health, and sexual health services. Its team of health experts provides comprehensive testing, treatment, and prevention services for you and your partner. STD testing is available by scheduling an appointment over the phone or on a walk-in basis.

1710 Prairie City Road Folsom, CA 95630, 916-737-5555
Wellspacehealth.org

The Sexual Health Clinic, operated by the county’s Department of Health Services, is located in the Primary Care Center and provides healthcare services to residents of Sacramento County, including at-risk populations such as sex industry workers, HIV-positive individuals, people of color, and injection drug users and their partners. Some services that the clinic provides include chlamydia and gonorrhea testing, hepatitis C prevention and testing, general STD prevention and information, and outreach and prevention activities. You should call ahead to schedule an appointment.

4600 Broadway, Suite 1300 Sacramento, CA 95820, 916-875-1551
Saccounty.net

Imani Clinic is a UC Davis student-run clinic that provides free healthcare services to Folsom residents, regardless of ability to pay. It’s staffed by undergraduates who do intake, lab work, and create patient charts, and medical students who see patients under the supervision of one or two preceptor physicians. The clinic offers primary healthcare, including full physical exams, women’s health services, prescription refills, preventative medicine, birth control prescriptions, and HIV and STD testing. To request an appointment, you should call the clinic directly.

2425 Alhambra Boulevard Sacramento, CA 95817, 916-475-9582
Imaniclinic.org

• 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