STD Testing in Kansas

Getting tested for STDs in Kansas 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 Kansas has an especially high rate of chlamydia, ranking eighteenth in the country according to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The state is below the national average for other STDs, ranking 26th for gonorrhea, 42nd for primary and secondary syphilis, and 39th for congenital syphilis.

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

There are numerous Kansas STD testing resources where you can get answers to your questions about STDs and get tested, often for free or at a low cost. Positive Directions clinic offers free testing, and many of the state’s County Departments of Health offer sexual health education and low-cost testing services.

Kansas 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 Kansas

Kansas’s reported STDs are generally below average, except for chlamydia, which is above average. In Kansas, some underlying causes of increased STDs relate to a complex network of social factors. Some of these 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 seen in Kansas include:

Testing Graph Kansas

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 Kansas:

Kansas 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 Kansas

Which STD has the highest number of cases in Kansas?

Chlamydia is the most common STD in Kansas at a rate of 501.8 cases per 100,000 people and ranks eighteenth in the nation. Kansas ranks lower for gonorrhea and syphilis.

Is STD testing free in Kansas?

There are free STD clinics in Kansas, including the Positive Directions clinic in Wichita.

How much does STD testing cost in Kansas?

STD testing costs vary by location and the type of test you are getting. You can typically find free or lower-cost testing at some community or nonprofit clinics. With private labs, clinics, and at-home testing companies, you may be able to use health insurance to cover or lower your cost.

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?

A full STD panel usually includes tests for HIV, herpes, hepatitis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis.

Does insurance cover STD testing?

Insurance coverage varies depending on your plan and the clinic you visit. Most public and private STD clinics do accept insurance, but you can contact the clinic before your visit to ask.

How long does it take to get STD results?

Some clinics provide HIV tests with rapid results in under an hour, while other bacterial-type tests may take up to a week to get results, such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis.

STD Resources in Kansas

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 levels that provide valuable information about the most common STDs, testing procedures, and prevention.

Sources

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