TABLE OF CONTENTS
NECAC Family Planning
St Charles Clinic
O’Fallon is the largest municipality in St. Charles County, where there was a 21.5% increase in reportable STDs in 2018, compared to the previous five-year median. The confirmed total of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis cases in St. Charles County in 2018 was over 1,500, and nearly half of these were in O’Fallon.
The St. Charles County Department of Public Health received over 1,200 reports of chlamydia infections in 2018, nearly 79% of the county’s total reportable STDs combined. This was the highest number of documented chlamydia cases in the county in 10 years and represented a 27% increase since 2014. However, per early data collected for 2019, chlamydia cases were expected to drop by nearly 3%, marking the county’s first decrease since 2014 when infections dipped 1.75%. Those aged 15 to 19 and 20 to 24 accounted for about 70% of all chlamydia cases within the county.
St. Charles had nearly 300 cases of gonorrhea in 2018, which represented an increase of over 167% since 2014 — the last year the county had a decrease in cases. Early data indicates that gonorrhea cases will increase again by nearly 14% in 2019. Before 2017, gonorrhea infections were almost evenly spread between males and females, but infections reported among men have leaped well ahead of those among women in recent years. In 2018, gonorrhea cases were highest in the 20 to 24 and 25 to 29 age groups, but female cases among the 15 to 19 age group were also high.
There were less than 30 total cases of syphilis in all stages reported in 2018 in St. Charles County, and preliminary numbers for 2019 indicate that a dip of about 10% was expected. However, primary and secondary syphilis infections remain concerning with a 60% increase when 2018 data was compared to the previous five-year median. Following a slight dip in 2015, primary and secondary syphilis cases quadrupled by 2018, and 10 years ago, there was only one case reported. Cases among men outnumbered women in 2018, with an average of 3.5 male cases for every female case. The age of syphilis diagnosis tends to be higher than other STDs, with each age group, from 25 to 29 and up having at least six documented syphilis infections in 2018. St. Charles County has had zero cases of congenital syphilis since 2000.
With STD rates increasing, it’s more important than ever to find out your STD status. Regular testing is the only way to know for sure whether you have an STD because many infections don’t present any symptoms, leaving you vulnerable to long-term complications, such as organ damage and infertility. You’ll find numerous resources in O’Fallon and the surrounding communities that offer free or low-cost STD testing so you can know if you’re infected and receive any necessary treatment to protect your health.
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 O’Fallon 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:
NECAC’s St. Charles County Service Center provides low-cost STD screenings for male and female patients. It offers HIV testing, counseling, and referrals; STD testing and treatment for chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis B and C, herpes, and syphilis; and HPV and hepatitis B vaccines. Its team of volunteer doctors, nurse practitioners, and staff provide confidential services with your voluntary and informed consent. NECAC accepts third-party insurance and Medicaid, with a sliding fee scale if you’re uninsured. Clinic hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
3400 Meadow Pointe Drive
O’Fallon, MO 63366
636-240-7350
Website
The St. Charles County Health Services Division, located 12 miles from O’Fallon, offers STD lab services, including chlamydia or gonorrhea urine testing, for $20 each. Screenings that require blood draws cost an additional $10, along with $12 for syphilis, $20 for rapid HIV, and $30 for rapid hepatitis C testing. You can also receive STD education and treatment. Services are available Monday through Friday by appointment only.
1650 Boone’s Lick Road
St. Charles, MO 63301
636-949-7484
Website
CVS MinuteClinic offers low-cost chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV, and hepatitis B and C testing performed at an outside laboratory. MinuteClinic reviews your results and suggests treatment recommendations. It provides HPV and hepatitis A and B vaccines and accepts private insurance, Medicaid, and Medicare. Clinic hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. However, the clinic is closed from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. on weekends.
3002 Highway K
O’Fallon, MO 63368
866-389-2727
Website
ThriVe’s St. Charles Clinic, located five miles away in Saint Peters, offers confidential STD testing and treatment for women only, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV, bacterial vaginosis, and trichomoniasis. Services are free if you qualify, and there’s a sliding scale for those who don’t. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are encouraged. Clinic hours are Mondays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursdays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., and Fridays from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
305 Mid Rivers Mall Drive, Suite A
Saint Peters, MO 63376
636-278-1212
Website
Planned Parenthood operates the St. Peter’s Health Center and provides HIV testing and chlamydia, bacterial vaginosis, gonorrhea, genital warts, herpes, syphilis, and trichomoniasis testing and treatment. It also dispenses HPV vaccines, condoms, and dental dams. Appointments and walk-ins are accepted. Clinic hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the first and third Saturdays of each month. You may qualify for a lower fee scale or state-funded program if you don’t have insurance.
208 Mid Rivers Mall Center Drive
Saint Peters, MO 63376
636-279-3339
Website