STD Testing in Irvine, CA

The common symptoms of many STDs can easily be passed off for other medical issues. Feelings like abdominal pain, uncomfortable urination, itching—don’t write them off. If you think you’ve been exposed to an STD or just want to ensure a clean bill of health, get tested. Don’t hesitate.

According to the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) STD State Surveillance Ranking report, California has higher rates of STDs than other states in the country. California is No. 4 for syphilis and No. 6 for congenital syphilis. The numbers aren’t going down. The state ranks No. 15 for chlamydia cases, and No. 18 for gonorrhea.

There are resources in Irvine, CA, to get STD screening, treatment, and more. Pacific Coast Medical Group has specialists who speak Vietnamese, Spanish, Japanese, and various Indian dialects. Orange County Health Center STD Clinic provides PreEP and PEP for free if you do not have insurance.

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 Irvine, 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 Irvine, 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 Irvine, 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:

Radiant Health Centers offers rapid HIV testing and hepatitis C testing if you qualify, along with testing for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. You also can access pre/post-test counseling. It also provides prescriptions to prevent HIV transmission, including PrEP and PEP, and antiretroviral therapy immediately following an HIV diagnosis. Radiant Health doesn’t accept walk-ins, so call for an appointment. Office hours are Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Fridays from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

17982 Sky Park Circle, Suite M Irvine, CA 92614, 949-809-5700
Website

Planned Parenthood operates Costa Mesa Health Center, providing HIV testing and STD testing and treatment for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes, genital warts, bacterial vaginosis, and trichomoniasis. Prevention services include male/female condoms, HPV vaccines, and PrEP. Most services are available on a walk-in basis. Office hours are Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday through Sunday from 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Spanish interpretation is available. If you do not have insurance, you might qualify for a lower fee. There is help.

1520 Nutmeg Place, Suite 101 Costa Mesa, CA 92626, Multiple Orange County locations 714-922-4100
Website

Orange County Health Care Agency STD Clinic offers testing, treatment, prevention, and education for HIV and most STDs, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. If you do not have insurance, you can get PrEP and PEP, condoms, and lube for free. The clinic offers confidential, voluntary HIV Partner Services. Appointments are preferred. If you walk in, you will be screened to determine if a same-day visit is warranted. Office hours are Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Tuesdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

1725 West 17th Street, 101F Santa Ana, CA 92706, 714-834-8787
Website

LGBT Center of Orange County provides rapid blood HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis testing that’s free to everyone. Testing is performed by appointment only on Tuesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., but syphilis testing isn’t available on Fridays. It also supplies free male and female condoms. The center offers mental health and emotional wellness services, resource referrals for if you are seeking PrEP and PEP, and educational visits to local events and organizations.

1605 North Spurgeon Street Santa Ana, CA 92701, 714-953-5428
Website

Women’s Health Care Specialists offers chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes, and conventional blood HIV testing for men and women. Free STD testing is provided if you qualify for the California Family PACT program, and the clinic offers low-cost prices if you do not qualify and will pay in cash. Insurance and Medicaid are accepted, too. Office hours are Mondays 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesdays 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Fridays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and one Saturday per month from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

2077 Harbor Boulevard, Suite C Costa Mesa, CA 92627, 949-722-2510
Website

Pacific Coast Medical Group provides free rapid blood HIV and rapid hepatitis C testing and low-cost STD testing for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and herpes. It also offers STD and HIV treatment, including PrEP. If you need an interpreter and do not speak English, specialists are available at the clinic who speak Vietnamese, Spanish, Japanese, and various Indian dialects. Services are available by appointment on Fridays only, and insurance plans are accepted.

11180 Warner Avenue, Suite 353 Fountain Valley, CA 92708, 714-500-8650
Website

• 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