STD Testing in Fort Lauderdale, FL

If you’re sexualy active, it’s a good practice to get regular STD testing. Fort Lauderdale residents have access to free STD testing with results available within the hour, which means getting tested can be quick and easy.

Florida has the tenth-highest rate of reported primary and secondary syphilis cases and the eighth-highest rate of congenital syphilis per capita in the U.S. The state has below average rates of chlamyida and gonnorhea, but still had over 110,000 reported cases of chlamyida and over 36,000 reported cases of gonnorhea in 2019. Getting tested for STDs is important to help prevent the spread of STDs and keep yourself healthy.

Fort Lauderdale residents have access to several places for free and confidential STD testing. Latinos Salud serves gay and transgender Latino men living in the area and offers life coaching for men living with HIV in addition to STD testing. You don’t have to go to a clinc to get tested: Sunrise Out of the Closet, a thrift store on East Sunrise Boulevard, not a clinic, offers free HIV testing in a private part of the store.

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 Fort Lauderdale, FL?

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 Fort Lauderdale, FL?

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 Fort Lauderdale, FL?

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:

The Broward Wellness Center is operated through a partnership between the Florida Department of Health and the AIDS Healthcare Foundation. It provides free HIV and STD screenings for the Fort Lauderdale community. Walk-in testing is available, and the center also offers affordable treatment if you’ve been compromised. If you test positive for HIV, the clinic can link you to the primary care you need to manage the disease properly.

750 SE 3rd Avenue, 1st Floor Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316, 954-767-0273
locations.freestdcheck.org

CAN Community Health provides free hepatitis C, STD, and HIV testing to individuals in Fort Lauderdale regardless of your ability to pay. Some of their tests are rapid and available within minutes, while the blood draw tests can take up to two weeks to be returned with results. Anonymous and confidential screenings are available. The clinic also provides mental health and emotional support if you’re living with sexually transmitted diseases. You can talk with one of the clinic’s professionals for more information about HIV preventative services like PrEP.

1726 SE 3rd Avenue Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316, 754-701-6920
www.cancommunityhealth.org

The Care Resource Community Health Centers in Florida provide the residents of Fort Lauderdale with free rapid HIV testing. The clinic also tests for syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia. Fort Lauderdale’s local Care Resource Community Health Center offers treatment options and support services if you test positive for any of these diseases. Free condoms are available as part of their efforts to reduce the spread of STDs.

871 W Oakland Park Blvd Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311, 954-567-7141
careresource.org

The Florida Department of Health in Broward County operates the Fort Lauderdale Health Center and provides free gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, and HIV testing for local residents. Appointments are required and the hours for HIV testing vary. The health center recommends that if you’re interested in being tested, you call in advance for further information.

2421 S.W. 6th Avenue Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315, 954-467-4700
broward.floridahealth.gov

Latinos Salud offers HIV and STD testing for gay and transgender Latino men and their partners. Their closest clinic to Fort Lauderdale is about 10 minutes away located in Wilton Manors. The HIV and hepatitis C tests are rapid, so results are available within minutes. Consultations over pre-exposure prophylaxis medications, or PrEP, can also be arranged. Appointments need to be made ahead of time, and life coaching is available if you’re a man living with HIV.

1401 NE 26th Street Wilton Manors, FL 33305, 954-765-6239
latinossalud.org

Sunrise Out of the Closet is a thrift store, not a clinic, but it offers free HIV testing in a private part of the store. Certified testing counselors use advanced testing technology and also provide prevention counseling. Results are available in about 20 minutes, and there is no paperwork to fill out. No appointment is necessary. In place of a fee, the store accepts donations.

1785 East Sunrise Boulevard Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304, 877-259-8728
outofthecloset.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