STD Testing in Gainesville, FL

If you feel like you might have been exposed to an STD, you are not alone. You can get screened and find treatment close to you in Gainesville, FL. Don’t wait to get tested.

STDs are on the rise, and Florida has one of the higher rates of syphilis, ranking No. 10 in the country, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 2019 STD Surveillance State Ranking report. It’s No. 27 for chlamydia, No. 24 for gonorrhea, and No. 8 for congenital syphilis.

The good news is, there are free and low-cost STD testing resources available. In addition to screening, A Woman’s Answer Medical Center offers STD counseling and treatment to you and your partner(s). The Gainesville Health Center provides Gardasil HPV vaccines and STD education.

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 Gainesville, 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 Gainesville, 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 Gainesville, 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 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, 352-334-7900
Website

Gainesville Health Center is part of Planned Parenthood of South East and North Florida, providing 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 Monday through Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday 12 to 8 p.m., and Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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. You’ll be asked to schedule a follow-up appointment for the following week to pick up your results. Staff will review the results with you and provide treatment referrals if necessary. 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. All tests are performed confidentially, and results are provided privately by a Registered Nurse. If you need further STD assistance, Sira staff will refer you 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 you are asked not to urinate or have sexual intercourse for at least one hour before testing. It also supplies private, confidential consultations and treatment for you and your 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. You must make an appointment by phone during business hours: 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. If you do not have insurance, you can enroll in a monthly payment plan.

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

• CDC | 2019 STD Surveillance Report | Last accessed October 2021
• CDC | Which STD Tests Should I Get? | Last accessed October 2021
• HHS | Your Rights Under HIPAA | Last accessed October 2021