Free STD Testing in Gainesville, FL

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.
 

Gainesville is the largest city in Alachua County and its county seat. Alachua County had the third-highest rate of bacterial STDs in Florida during 2019 — 1,352.7 per 100,000 residents, nearly double that of the state’s rate of 758.

Alachua County had a total of 2,686 chlamydia cases in 2019 for a rate of 1,007.3 per 100,000 residents, which was considerably higher than the state’s 525.5. This was the third year in a row the county saw an increase in chlamydia cases after a drop in 2017 when cases fell from 2,237 in 2016 to 2,191. Cases among females continued to be higher than males, with the gap increasing more each year. Female infections in 2019 were 1,835 compared to 1,655 in 2018, while males saw a much smaller increase from 810 in 2018 to 851 in 2019.

Gonorrhea diagnoses have also seen an increase in Alachua county over the last three years but more so in men than women. The county had a total number of 790 cases in 2019 for a rate of 296.3, compared to the state’s 174.9. Cases among females actually saw a decrease, with 384 diagnoses in 2018 dropping to 354 in 2019, translating to a rate of 256.9 per 100,000 residents. Alternately, there were 429 male cases in 2018, increasing to 43 for a rate of 338.46 in 2019.

Florida has seen an uptick in all stages of syphilis over the past decade, but cases among women have been trending downward. There were 48 female cases in 2016, followed by a slow decline over the next few years, including 2019, when the county reported 26 infections among women for a rate of 18.9. The same is true of primary and secondary syphilis in which 23 reported cases in women in 2016 decreased to only five in 2019. Men haven’t fared as well with syphilis in all stages jumping from 89 diagnoses in 2017 to 103 in 2018 and 2019 and primary and secondary syphilis increasing from 40 in 2017 to 50 in 2018 and 2019. Despite decreasing syphilis diagnoses among women, congenital syphilis numbers are still concerning. The CDC reported 108 cases in Florida in 2018, and two of these were from Alachua County.

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 Gainesville 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:

The Florida Department of Health in Alachua County offers testing and treatment for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, hepatitis B and C, herpes, and HIV. It also provides HPV and hepatitis A and B vaccines, PrEP, and free male and female condoms and lubrication. Appointments are available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Walk-ins are accepted if time allows. Most services are based on the ability to pay with a sliding scale fee. Staff members are bilingual in English and Spanish.

224 Southeast 24th Street
Gainesville, FL 32641
Multiple Gainesville locations
352-334-7900
Website

Gainesville Health Center is part of Planned Parenthood of South East and North Florida, providing residents with sexual health care. The center offers HIV testing and STD testing and treatment for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, trichomoniasis, herpes, genital warts, and bacterial vaginosis. STD prevention services include male and female condoms, Gardasil HPV vaccines, and STD/safer sex education. Clinic hours are Tuesdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursdays 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., and Fridays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Spanish and American Sign Language interpreters are available at no cost with prior notice.

914 Northwest 13th Street
Gainesville, FL 32601
352-377-0881
Website

All services provided at Community Pregnancy Clinic are free and confidential, including screening for chlamydia and gonorrhea for men and women. A nurse answers all questions about STDs and provides materials from the CDC. Patients are asked to schedule a follow-up appointment for the following week to pick up their results, which will be reviewed with them, and get a referral for treatment when appropriate. Clinic hours are Mondays through Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Fridays by appointment only.

1800 West University Avenue, Suite 310
Gainesville, FL 32603
352-681-4411
Website

Sira is a community-supported non-profit offering free testing for chlamydia and gonorrhea via a urine test for men and women. All tests are performed confidentially, and results are provided privately by a Registered Nurse. Patients needing further STD assistance are referred to a community partner for additional testing and any necessary treatment. Sira also provides free pregnancy testing, limited ultrasounds, and counseling. Clinic hours are Mondays through Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

912 Northwest 13th Street
Gainesville, FL 32601
352-377-4947
Website

A Woman’s Answer Medical Clinic provides medical testing and treatment for chlamydia and gonorrhea. Testing is performed using a urine sample, so patients are asked not to urinate or have sexual intercourse for at least one hour prior to testing. It also supplies private, confidential consultations and treatment for the patient and their partner(s). Clinic hours are Tuesdays through Fridays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. or by appointment, except between July and August when clinic hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

3601 Southwest 2nd Avenue, Suite Z
Gainesville, FL 32607
352-367-2716
Website

Primary Care of Gainesville provides testing and treatment for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes, hepatitis C and HIV. It also offers counseling and education on STD prevention. Any abnormal tests will require follow-up testing. Appointments are required and must be made by phone during regular business hours, which are Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Fridays 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Primary Care accepts most insurance plans, Medicare, and Medicaid, but patients without insurance may enroll in a monthly payment plan.

6717 Northwest 11th Place, Suite B
Gainesville, Fl 32605
352-505-0255
Website

• http://www.flhealthcharts.com/charts/OtherIndicators/NonVitalSTDDataViewer.aspx
• http://www.flhealthcharts.com/charts/OtherIndicators/NonVitalSTDTenYrRpt.aspx
• https://www.cdc.gov/std/stats18/STDSurveillance2018-full-report.pdf
• http://www.flhealthcharts.com/charts/OtherIndicators/NonVitalSTDDataViewer.aspx?cid=0145