Getting Tested for STDs in Ithaca, NY

Confidential sexually transmitted disease (STD testing) is available in Ithaca through community clinics, urgent care centers, and private labs. Depending on the provider and the test, you may be able to get same-day service or get results within a few business days.

Your choice usually comes down to cost, turnaround time, privacy, and location. Community clinics may be a good fit if you want low-cost care, while private labs may work better if you want online scheduling or a shorter visit.

Testing is a practical next step after unprotected sex, a new partner, or as part of routine screening, and you can explore additional STD testing in New York statewide. In Tompkins County, chlamydia is the most reported STD at 315.8 cases per 100,000 people, followed by gonorrhea at 117.8 per 100,000, so routine screening is a common reason to book a test in Ithaca.

Find an STD Testing Location in Ithaca, NY

You can find STD testing in Ithaca at community clinics, urgent care centers, and county services. Several options are located near W. Seneca St. and W. State St. A health care provider can help you choose the right tests and explain your results afterward.

What to expect from STD testing

STD Testing Options in Ithaca, NY

STD testing options in Ithaca

When Should I Get Tested for STDs?

If you’re sexually active in Ithaca, chlamydia and gonorrhea are the most commonly reported STDs in the county, which makes them the most relevant to routine screening. If you have had recent unprotected sex, a new partner, or possible exposure, testing is a practical way to get answers quickly, and routine screening covers both and takes less than 10 minutes. Many STDs, including HIV, have no symptoms, so testing is the only way to know your status. The CDC recommends routine screening based on age and risk, and a clinician can help you choose the right tests for your situation.

What Will Be Tested in an STD Panel?

A standard STD panel usually checks for the most common infections, and a clinician may add tests based on your symptoms, exposure, and sexual history.

Here’s what to expect when you go in for STD testing:

  1. Check in at the front desk or complete online registration.
  2. Provide a urine sample, blood sample, or swab, depending on the tests ordered.
  3. Receive results, typically one to three business days after the lab receives your sample.

A routine STD panel may include:
Chlamydia
Gonorrhea
HIV 1 and 2
Syphilis

A full-panel STD test may also include:
– Herpes (oral, genital)
– Hepatitis (A, B, C)

For general screening guidance on who should test and how often, review the CDC’s screening recommendations.

How Much Will STD Testing Cost in Ithaca, NY?

In Ithaca, STD testing can cost from $0 to $250, depending on the provider, the tests you need, and whether the visit includes an office fee. Most health insurance plans cover preventive STD testing at 100% with no copay, but coverage can vary for diagnostic testing and urgent care visits. If you are uninsured, Planned Parenthood – Ithaca Health Center and the Tompkins County Health Department may offer sliding-scale fees, and some services may be free for eligible residents. For a private option, at-home STD tests typically cost about $169.

How Fast Will I Get My Test Results in Ithaca, NY?

Most lab-based STD test results in Ithaca are ready in one to three business days. Some locations also offer rapid HIV testing with same-day results.

Turnaround time can vary by provider, appointment availability, and lab volume. Community clinics may take longer to schedule, but chlamydia and gonorrhea results still often come back within a few business days. Before you book, ask when results are usually ready and whether you will get them by phone, patient portal, or secure message.

STI Statistics in Tompkins County, NY

Local sexually transmitted infection (STI) data shows why routine screening matters in Ithaca. Chlamydia is the most reported STD in Tompkins County, with a rate of 315.8 per 100,000 people. Many cases do not cause symptoms, so testing often finds infections that would otherwise go unnoticed.

Tompkins County reported 451 cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis combined. Gonorrhea accounted for 122 of those cases, which is one reason many clinics offer dual testing by default. You can track national and local trends through the CDC’s STI surveillance data.

Chlamydia and gonorrhea are bacterial infections that are treatable with antibiotics, and syphilis is treatable, too. One visit can cover urine testing for chlamydia and gonorrhea, plus a blood draw for HIV and syphilis. Many people in Ithaca get tested as part of routine care after a new partner or a condom failure.



Cities Near Ithaca, NY for STD Testing

Free STD Testing Centers in Ithaca, NY

Ithaca has several places where you can get confidential, low-cost STD testing. These options may work well if you are uninsured, want help with costs, or do not have a regular provider.

Planned Parenthood – Ithaca Health Center

  • Address: 620 W. Seneca St., Ithaca, NY 14850
  • Number: (607) 273-1513
  • Hours: Not listed

Cayuga Center for Infectious Diseases

  • Address: 1301 Trumansburg Rd., Suite R, Ithaca, NY 14850
  • Number: (607) 241-1118
  • Hours: Not listed

Convenient Care at Ithaca

  • Address: 10 Arrowwood Dr., Ithaca, NY 14850
  • Number: (607) 274-4150
  • Hours: Not listed

Southern Tier AIDS Program (STAP)

  • Address: 314 W. State St., Ithaca, NY 14850
  • Number: (607) 272-4098
  • Hours: Not listed

Tompkins County Health Department

  • Address: 55 Brown Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850
  • Number: (607) 274-6600
  • Hours: Not listed