Free STD Testing in Salt Lake City, UT

In Salt Lake County, the three most commonly reported STDs are chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. Chlamydia has been steadily increasing in Utah. However, gonorrhea and syphilis cases decreased between 2018 and 2019.

In 2019, 11,071 occurrences of chlamydia were reported to the Utah Department of Health, for a rate of 345.3 cases per 100,000 people. This represents an increase of 19.6% from 2015’s frequency. Nearly half of the state’s reported chlamydia infections — 5,710 cases — were in Salt Lake County. The county’s overall rate of infection was 495.2 occurrences per 100,000 people. In 2018, the most recent year where detailed data is available, men and women aged 15-34 represented more than 85% of disclosed chlamydia cases in Salt Lake County. The frequency of infections among women aged 15-24 was much higher than the rate among men in the same age group. Young women may have higher rates of chlamydia due, in part, to differences in the cervix cells, which may increase their risk of infection.

Utah’s frequency of gonorrhea infection has increased significantly since 2011. In 2019, there were 2,883 cases disclosed to the Department of Health — including 1,898 in Salt Lake County — for a frequency of 89.9 cases per 100,000 people. In 2011, the rate was 9.8 cases per 100,000 people. This represents a rate increase of more than 800%. However, there are signs that this trend is reversing: Utah’s frequency of gonorrhea infection in 2019 was 2.0% lower than the previous year. Like chlamydia, most of the documented gonorrhea infections in Salt Lake County in 2018 occurred in young adults. However, men were much more commonly affected than women. Men who have sex with men were even more likely to be affected, and the Salt Lake County Health Department identified incarceration, homelessness, and substance abuse as other risk factors.

The number of reported syphilis cases has been trending upward in recent years, both nationally and in Utah. In 2019, there were 428 cases documented in the state for a frequency of 4.3 cases per 100,000 people, while in 2000, the rate was just 0.1 cases per 100,000 people. However, as with gonorrhea, the frequency of syphilis infections dropped between 2018 and 2019, indicating this trend may be reversing. More than 70% of the primary and secondary syphilis cases disclosed in Utah in 2019 were in Salt Lake County. Men who have sex with men made up 79% of syphilis cases.

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 Salt Lake City 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:

Planned Parenthood operates the Salt Lake Health Center of Salt Lake City, UT. Individuals can receive testing and treatment for a broad range of STDs, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, genital warts, herpes, and syphilis. It also offers testing and diagnosis, but not treatment, for HIV. In addition to STD testing, a full suite of reproductive health services are available, including birth control, pregnancy services, and abortion referrals. Walk-in STD testing is available for people without symptoms. For other needs, appointments can be scheduled online or by phone.

654 South 900 East
Salt Lake City, UT 84102
801-322-5571
Website

The Salt Lake County Health Department operates a low-cost STD clinic in downtown Salt Lake City. Rapid tests are available for HIV and syphilis, and clients receive their results the same day. It also offers tests for chlamydia, syphilis, herpes, and other common STDs, and results are generally available within seven to 10 days. Schedule permitting, walk-in testing may be available from Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; however, the clinic recommends calling to book an appointment. Health insurance plans aren’t accepted.

Salt Lake Public Health Center
610 South 200 East, 2nd Floor
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
385-468-4242
Website

Utah AIDS Foundation provides free or low-cost STD testing at its Salt Lake City clinic. Testing is by appointment, and the clinic is open Mondays and Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Individuals can receive testing for syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea, with results within seven to 14 days. Rapid HIV testing, which provides same-day results, is also available. An at-home testing option is available through the Utah Aids Foundation for HIV, chlamydia, and gonorrhea; clients simply request a testing kit and collect their own samples at home.

1408 South 1100 East
Salt Lake City, UT
801-487-2323
Website

The Maliheh Free Clinic is a nonprofit organization that provides free urgent medical care to low-income uninsured people. A broad range of health care services is available, including immunizations, adult family medicine, and pediatric care. Clients can also visit the clinic to be tested for a variety of common STDs, including gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, and HIV. Appointments are required, and clients must provide proof of income, such as a current tax return or recent pay stubs.

941 East 3300 South
Salt Lake City, UT 84106
801-266-3700
Website

Martindale Clinic is operated by Odyssey House, a nonprofit substance use treatment provider. It offers a wide variety of recovery-focused health care services, including preventative care and mental health services. Clients can visit the clinic for STD testing, as well as contraception and hepatitis C treatment. The clinic is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Walk-ins are only accepted at 9 a.m., so clients are encouraged to call or email to book an appointment. The clinic accepts Medicaid and is an in-network provider for most insurance plans. A sliding fee scale is available for those who qualify.

743 East 300 South
Salt Lake City, UT 84102
801-428-3500
Website

• https://slco.org/globalassets/1-site-files/health/programs/epi/annual_report2018.pdf
• https://ptc.health.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/2019_HIV-and-STD-Prevention-and-Surveillance-Program_Surveillance-Update.pdf
• https://slco.org/globalassets/1-site-files/health/programs/epi/annual_report2018.pdf
• https://www.cdc.gov/std/chlamydia/stdfact-chlamydia-detailed.htm
• https://www.cdc.gov/std/general/default.htm
• https://gis.cdc.gov/grasp/nchhstpatlas/charts.html