Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have been an issue of concern for American authorities for decades because STIs can impact any sexually active individual. Testing is the only way to prevent the spread of the infection, or else you may encounter severe health consequences. If common STIs like chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis is left untreated, they can cause infertility. The infection can even spread to your partner. Houston has proven a pioneer in STD testing. From mobile units to citywide free and low-cost testing facilities, there's an option for everyone. Learn more about the best STD testing in Houston.
Board Approved
Medically reviewed by one or more members of the editorial boardDiscover Nearby Options
In 2019 Texas had the highest new STD diagnosis rates, with 129,000 new chlamydia cases and the highest number of congenital syphilis cases per capita in the country. Harris County became the hotspot for common STDs, reporting over 20,000 chlamydia, 2,800 syphilis, and 8,000 gonorrhea cases, revealed the Texas Department of State Health Services 2017 surveillance data. It is, therefore, essential that Houston residents remain fully aware of their sexual health status. Check out the best STD testing centers in Houston, Texas.
1431 Studemont St, Houston, Texas 77007
0.84 mile
Tel: 2817407989
Today's best offer is: $10 off any order. Discount will be applied automatically.
427 W 20th St Ste 504, Houston, Texas 77008
1.58 mile
Tel: 7138697206
Today's best offer is: $10 off any order. Discount will be applied automatically.
1631 North Loop W, Ste 170, Houston, Texas 77008
3.05 mile
Tel: 2817405945
Today's best offer is: $10 off any order. Discount will be applied automatically.
No eligibility requirements for HIV testing. Please call to verify testing schedule before you make a trip to any Harris Health testing site. Must be diagnosed with HIV to access HIV primary care services.
2015 Thomas St, Houston, Texas 77009
1.53 mile
Tel: (713) 873-4000
Appointment Required: Yes
7035 W Tidwell Rd, Ste J109b, Houston, Texas 77092
1.66 mile
Tel: (832) 791-3295
Appointment Required: Yes
New clients, please bring a drivers license or other photo ID.
9919 N Freeway Service Rd, Ste 107, Houston, Texas 77037
1.66 mile
Tel: (713) 514-1106
Tel: (404) 494-7435
Appointment Required: Yes
Foundation provides assistance with housing, food, and applying for benefits like SNAP, TANF, & Medicaid. PrEP & PEP education also offered. AFH offers PrEP for uninsured at low to no cost. HIV treatment patient navigation. Community-based HIV/STD testing with our mobile van. Summer camp...
6260 Westpark Dr, Ste 100, Houston, Texas 77057
1.66 mile
Tel: (713) 623-6796
Tel: (713) 623-4029
Appointment Required: Yes
14095 S Main St, Houston, Texas 77035
1.66 mile
Tel: (832) 830-8345
Appointment Required: Yes
Sliding fee scale is based on income and household size.
3000 Aldine Mail Rte Rd, Bldg C Ste 200, Houston, Texas 77039
1.66 mile
Tel: (713) 773-0803
Appointment Required: Yes
8504 Schuller St, Houston, Texas 77093
1.66 mile
Tel: (832) 395-9100
Tel: (832) 395-9800
Tel: (832) 393-5427
Appointment Required: Yes
Please visit the website or call for eligibility requirements. STD testing, HIV PrEP and PEP for patients 18+. Trichomoniasis testing available as part of STD testing services.
9101 Hwy 6 N, Houston, Texas 77095
1.66 mile
Tel: (866) 389-2727
An eligibility appointment is very important in order to assess whether or not you qualify for various programs and/or financial aid from the government. To make an appointment online, visit https://www.legacycommunityhealth.org/contact-us/. Some services, such as HIV and pregnancy testing, are...
5598-A1 North Frwy, Northtown Plaza, Houston, Texas 77076
1.66 mile
Tel: (281) 628-2030
Tel: (832) 548-5221
Appointment Required: Yes
An eligibility appointment is very important in order to assess whether or not you qualify for various programs and/or financial aid from the government. To make an appointment online, visit https://www.legacycommunityhealth.org/contact-us/. Some services, such as HIV and pregnancy testing, are...
5616 Lawndale St, Ste A108, Houston, Texas 77023
1.66 mile
Tel: (713) 921-0075
Tel: (832) 548-5221
Appointment Required: Yes
Please visit the website or call for eligibility requirements. STD testing, HIV PrEP and PEP for patients 18+. Trichomoniasis testing available as part of STD testing services.
5402 Westheimer Rd Ste K, Houston, Texas 77056
1.66 mile
Tel: (866) 389-2727
Care provided to anyone, regardless of income, residency status, employment, health insurance coverage or ability to pay for services.
4849 Calhoun Rd, Health Bldg 2 Ste 1001A, Houston, Texas 77204
1.66 mile
Tel: (346) 348-1200
Tel: (713) 481-1730
Appointment Required: Yes
Use our confidential STD symptom checker to get an idea of what STDs/STIs your symptoms align with and what STD tests are recommended to you.
Start Symptom CheckerWhich Method of STD Testing is Suitable for Me?
Every sexually active individual must protect their sexual health. Regular STD testing is the only way to care for your sexual health. However, sometimes it becomes confusing to select the right testing method as there are so many options available. For your convenience, we have gathered information about all available STD testing methods in Houston, Texas. Check them out to find out which option is suitable for you.
This is one of the most popular ways to get tested for STDs today. These tests combine the best of both worlds for convenience and accuracy. You will order the test online at home, but you can walk into a professional lab testing center to get tested.
Another option is to simply visit your regular clinic and talk to your doctor.
If you do not want to visit a testing center, then a great alternative is an at-home test kit. You don’t even need to leave your house to get tested for STDs this way, which makes it the most discreet option. Everything is done through email and snail mail.
One last option for STD testing is a trip to a free clinic. If you go to a public STD-testing clinic, then you may get a free or discounted test, depending on your financial situation.
Learn more in our ultimate guide to STD testing.
It can be, but it does not necessarily have to be. What many people need to understand is that laboratory tests would most often than not be relatively pricey due to the technology that is being utilized behind these diagnostic techniques. However, opting for specific laboratories that offer more convenient testing procedures and discounted prices for diagnostic tests would help ensure that the price will not be much of an issue in providing you with the conclusive diagnosis of your condition. It might take some independent scanning to find the right testing center for you in the most acceptable price range, but it is not as impossible as many people make it out to be.
Considering that a wide variety of testing kits and laboratory procedures can be performed to determine conclusively whether you have a particular STD or not, the time that it will take for your results to return will also be subject to the same inconsistency. Although there are specific laboratories that could produce your results even by the end of the day (albeit, it is extremely rare for institutions to do so unless necessary), most would often take a few days to a week before the results are either delivered or posted online through your secure personal profile (in the case of online transactions). In addition to that, the capability of the laboratory performing the test may also contribute to the overall timeframe of result delivery – causing delays in cases where there are several requests or understaffed to provide expedited results.
For more information, skip to the FAQs section on this page.
Test Advisor
Know all about STD testing options, and the costs of different STD tests.
Select a city below to see more local STD testing options
Depending on the test being performed and the testing physician's targeted diseases, various types of samples can be requested from you. In some instances, a minuscule blood sample of a few milliliters will be collected, some might ask for a urine sample, and others may opt for a genital swab. Again, the sample being collected will depend on the test being conducted and the outcome that is being targeted for this particular procedure.
It does vary on a case-to-case basis. Insurance policies are often particular with the instances that they would be covering with their program. Some may cover severe accidents, some may even consider “orphan disease,” and yes, some may also cover the expenses for performing STD diagnostic tests. However, considering that your insurance provider will have to verify the person's identity availing of the program, STD testing laboratories that employ a minimal collection of patient information may not accept insurance policies to prioritize privacy over affordability.
Similar to how other testing procedures behave, false-positive results are still evident even in STD testing. False-positive and even false-negative results are standard instances that showcase the imperfection of the test’s design – a factor that is present everywhere. However, despite certain inconsistencies in laboratory tests as such, physicians commonly use confirmatory tests that would often take another path entirely to arrive at the same conclusion – solidifying the initial test’s diagnosis while still ensuring that the second test is not following the inconsistencies of the first.
A nucleic acid amplification test is a laboratory procedure that professionals often perform to make detecting a particular nucleic acid or gene being targeted easier and more convenient while still ensuring that the sample being collected is relatively minimal. Nucleic acid amplification tests, or NAATs, are usually the mainstay diagnostic test for most STDs due to their ability to detect the presence of pathogenic nucleic acids and genes in the patient sample with utmost accuracy and speed. NAATs depends on their ability to replicate the target RNA and DNA to create numerous copies – resulting in an increased convenience in the detection of the desired molecules instead of trying to either blindly look for one strand in a minuscule sample or collecting a large sample that could make the patient uncomfortable throughout the process. Although NAATs are often preferred for a more conclusive diagnosis of STDs, certain exceptions such as the availability of resources and instances of intermittent viral shedding could make NAATs less desirable than other tests. Fret not, however, as your physician is knowledgeable regarding these instances and would often request the best diagnostic procedure for your instances.
Standard STD testing can detect common sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes, and hepatitis B and C. Additional tests may be required for less common STDs or specific situations.
Help stop the spread of STDs by knowing your status. Get tested today!