Free STD Testing in Richmond VA

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Table of Contents

Free STD Testing in Richmond VA

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. STD Directory in Richmond, VA
II. STD Trends in Richmond, VA
III. Best STD Organizations in Richmond, VA
IV. Sources

I. STD Directory in Richmond, VA

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.

Learn More About At-Home STD Testing

II. STD Trends in Richmond, VA

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention records sexually-transmitted disease statistics for the nation and includes a breakdown of some STDs by metropolitan area. The Richmond area follows the state trends with regard to these three STDs, with reports of chlamydia and syphilis increasing from 2017 to 2018 while reports of gonorrhea decreased.

Chlamydia

The total number of chlamydia cases recorded by the CDC in 2018 for the Richmond metro area was 8,845. That’s up by close to 300 cases from the previous year. From 2016 to 2017, chlamydia infections in the area actually decreased slightly after a rather large jump from 2015 to 2016.

The Commonwealth of Virginia, as a whole, documented 43,695 cases of chlamydia in 2018, with the bulk of incidents related to younger individuals. More than 11,000 chlamydia diagnoses were linked to adolescents age 15 to 19, for example. And more than 17,000 documented cases were for patients aged 20-24.

2018 Chlamydia Diagnoses in Virginia by Age

Gonorrhea

The CDC’s number for gonorrhea cases in the Richmond area in 2018 is 2,977. That’s down from a reported figure of 3,200 the year before. Prior to that slight decrease, however, gonorrhea cases in the area had trended up since 2014, with a major jump of almost 1,000 new cases between 2015 and 2016.

Overall, that parallels the total figures for the Commonwealth. Total cases for the state jumped by just over 2,000 from 2015 to 2016, which means half of the increase was seen in the Richmond area alone. In fact, the Richmond metro area accounted for roughly a quarter of all new Virginia gonorrhea diagnoses in 2018.

As with chlamydia, gonorrhea is much more likely to be diagnosed in a younger person than an older one. The majority of cases are found in people aged 15 to 34.

2018 Gonorrhea Diagnoses in Virginia by Age

Syphilis

The CDC lumps primary and secondary syphilis cases together when reporting for metropolitan areas. In 2018, it documented 210 cases in the Richmond area — a small number, but a stark increase from 2017, when the number was only 124 cases. Unlike gonorrhea or chlamydia figures, syphilis case numbers rose annually from 2014 to 2018 for Richmond.

That trend is true for the Commonwealth as a whole as well. Numbers jumped from 568 in 2014 to 892 in 2015. By 2018, documented early syphilis diagnoses by the Virginia Department of Health totaled 1,325. While older adults make up a relatively low incidence of syphilis diagnoses in the Commonwealth, this STD is much more spread out among age groups than gonorrhea or chlamydia.

You can have an STD and experience very little in the way of discomfort or symptoms. Or, you can have major symptoms that lead you to seek treatment right away. Either way, the long-term health risks associated with STDs can be severe. Getting tested regularly if you’re sexually active is one of the best ways to understand what your health risks might be so you can protect your body and future proactively. Residents near Richmond, VA, have access to several low-cost or free clinics that provide sexual health services.

III. Best STD Organizations in Richmond, VA

Best STD resources Richmond Badge

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 in Richmond 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:

Richmond City Health District

The Richmond City Health District includes a number of clinics and locations where residents may seek free or low-cost health care and testing. The clinic on Cary Street specifically offers HIV screening and linkage to care, STI screening and treatment, and PrEP, as well as immunizations and screening and treatment for other health issues such as high blood pressure or diabetes. The clinic is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with an hour closed for lunch between noon and 1 p.m. The Cary Street clinic also offers free express STI/HIV screening every Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

400 East Cary Street
Richmond, VA 23219
(804) 482-5500
Website

Minority Health Consortium Incorporated

The office for Minority Health Consortium is open on most weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The group offers free testing for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and HIV as well as STI counseling to assist people newly diagnosed with or facing these diseases. The free testing may be offered through specific clinics, including the HELP Drop-In clinic, which sometimes takes place in the evening or at night to accommodate people who can’t access services during the day. You can access services via walk-up during those types of clinics or by appointment. Call the organization if you’re not sure if services are being offered at the exact time you want to seek them.

208 East Clay Street, Suite B
Richmond, VA 23219
(804) 225-0820
Website

Nationz Foundation

The foundation works to make HIV and STD testing more available to the LGBTQIA+ community. It also provides HIV services and counseling. Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis testing is free Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. The foundation also offers other services, including a food pantry, computer lab, and peer group support for HIV patients, and PrEP services for uninsured.

4794 Finlay Street, Suite1
Richmond VA 23231
(804) 716-7597
Website

Health Brigade

Health Brigade provides a variety of clinical services, including primary care. They offer a sliding scale for fees and free services, including HIV and STD testing for gonorrhea and chlamydia. The clinic asks for a small donation from patients/clients. However, no one is turned away because of their inability to contribute. HIV test results are disclosed the same day; it can take a week to get other results. A needle exchange program and condom distribution are also among the services offered by this organization.

1010 North Thompson Street
Richmond VA 23230
(804) 358-6343 ext. 1145
Website

Virginia League for Planned Parenthood

This location also offers a variety of health services. It accepts insurance but also ensures everyone receives care despite their ability to pay. STD testing services include herpes, gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, trich, BV, HIV, and genital warts. Condoms are provided as well as the HPV vaccine. You can make an appointment on the website.

201 North Hamilton Street
Richmond, VA 23221
(804) 355-4358
Website

CrossOver Healthcare Ministry

CrossOver Healthcare Ministry (CrossOver) provides full care for HIV patients under the Part B Ryan White program at its Richmond Clinic. CrossOver has expanded their STD Community Testing program at both its Henrico Clinic (8600 Quioccasin Road, Richmond, VA) and Richmond Clinic (108 Cowardin Avenue, Richmond, VA), including free, rapid confidential HIV testing and STD confidential testing; gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, and Hep C. You do not need to be a patient to access confidential testing. Walk-in testing is offered during business hours between 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., or you can call to make an appointment. CrossOver will sometimes run clinics for after-hours testing; call for more information. CrossOver also offers PrEP. For more information, please contact CrossOver today at 804-655-2794 at x131 or x105.

108 Cowardin Avenue
Richmond, VA 23224
(804) 655-2794
Website

Free STD Testing in Richmond, VA

Free STD Testing in Richmond VA

I. STD Directory in Richmond, VA

At-Home STD Testing

II. STD Trends in Richmond, VA

Chlamydia

2018 Chlamydia Diagnoses in Virginia by Age

Gonorrhea

2018 Gonorrhea Diagnoses in Virginia by Age

Syphilis

III. Best STD Organizations in Richmond, VA

Richmond City Health District

Minority Health Consortium Incorporated

Nationz Foundation

Health Brigade

Virginia League for Planned Parenthood

CrossOver Healthcare Ministry

IV. Sources