STD Testing in Florida

Getting tested for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in Florida can help you identify STDs early, protect yourself and your partners, and limit the spread of STDs – especially STDs with undetectable or mild symptoms.

STDs are a national concern, and Florida has an especially high rate of syphilis, ranking tenth in the country according to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Additionally, the state is ranked 11th for congenital syphilis, 27th for chlamydia, and 27th for gonorrhea.

Many STDs are curable. For those that aren’t, treatments are usually available to help manage symptoms and prevent you from passing them onto others. If you’re sexually active, regular testing is the only way you can know for sure if you have an STD and get the treatment you need to prevent potentially serious health issues and stop the spread.

There are numerous Florida STD testing resources where you can get answers to your questions about STDs and get tested, often for free or at a low cost. 26Health offers free testing, and Bond Community Health Center offers a broad range of sexual health services.

Florida STD Testing Directory

To help you locate an accredited laboratory/testing center, a list of resources has been compiled and can be found below.

Consult with your health care provider about any lab testing that you may be considering. It is also important to follow up with your health care provider to discuss your results within the context of your medical history.

STD Trends in Florida

Florida’s STD rates have increased steadily in recent years throughout all regions of the state. A wide variety of factors contribute to this increase, including lack of proper STD education, economic disparities, poverty, and substance abuse. Even with a diversity of new treatments becoming available, these diseases pose more of a threat than ever before. Concerning trends in Florida include:

Testing Graph Florida

Source: CDC 2020 STD Surveillance Report

STD Screening Recommendations and Risk Factors

If you have sex, you are at risk for getting an STD. According to the CDC, Risk factors for STDs include:

  • Unprotected sex (anal, vaginal, or oral)
  • Sex with multiple partners
  • Anonymous sex partners
  • Sex under the influence of drugs or alcohol
  • Injection of drugs or sharing needles

Should you get tested for STDs? And how often? Talk to your doctor to be sure, but you should generally follow these CDC recommendations:

STD Testing in Florida:

Florida Community STD Testing Centers

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:

Frequently Asked Questions About STD Tests in Florida

Which STD has the highest number of cases in Florida?

Chlamydia is the most common STD in Florida at a rate of 465.7 cases per 100,000 people in the state.

Is STD testing free in Florida?

There are free STD clinics in Florida, including at 26Health in Orlando.

How much does STD testing cost in Florida?

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.

What is included in a full STD panel?

When getting a full STD panel, expect testing for HIV, herpes, hepatitis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis.

Is STD testing covered by insurance?

Insurance coverage depends on the clinic you visit, but most public and private STD clinics accept insurance. Contact the clinic before your visit to ask about insurance policies.

How long does it take to get STD results?

Some clinics offer rapid results, such as HIV test results within 30 minutes, but other tests may take up to a week to return results, particularly bacterial testing including chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis.

STD Resources in Florida

In addition to finding reliable STD testing sites in your area, it’s important to find relevant educational resources that can help you learn more about the signs and symptoms of STDs and how they affect the community at large. There is a wide range of quality resources at the state and national level, which can help you stay informed about common STDs, as well as prevention methods and testing procedures.

Sources

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