STD Testing in Illinois

Getting tested for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in Illinois 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 Illinois has an especially high rate of chlamydia, ranking 10th in the country according to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Additionally, the state is ranked 19th for primary and secondary syphilis, 31st for congenital syphilis, and 13th 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 Illinois STD testing resources where you can get answers to your questions about STDs and get tested, often for free or at a low cost. Test Positive Aware Network offers free testing, and Access Community Health Network offers a full suite of sexual health services.

Illinois 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 Illinois

Illinois’s reported STDs are above average for chlamydia and gonorrhea but below the national average for syphilis. In Illinois, some of the underlying causes of increased STDs relate to a complex network of social factors. Some factors may include economic disparities that prevent access to appropriate health care, substance use, homelessness, and the exchange of sex for money or other resources. Startling trends in Illinois include:

Testing Graph Illinois

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 Illinois:

Illinois 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 Illinois

Which STD has the highest number of cases in Illinois?

Chlamydia is the most common STD in Illinois at a rate of 542.3 cases per 100,000 people in the state. But Illinois also ranks high for gonorrhea at 13th in the nation, though the rate of infection is lower than chlamydia at 245.1 cases per 100,000 people.

Is STD testing free in Illinois?

There are free STD clinics in Illinois, including the Access Community Health Network and Test Positive Aware Network.

How much does STD testing cost in Illinois?

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 Illinois

Learn more about STDs and the signs and symptoms that you might have contracted an STD. You’ll find numerous authoritative resources at the state and national level that provide valuable information about the most common STDs, testing procedures, and prevention.

Sources

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