Whoever has unprotected sex, experienced an STI (sexually transmitted infection) before, has multiple sex partners, or feels unusual symptoms like discharge, itchiness, and swelling around private parts should immediately undergo STD testing as it could be a matter of life and death. STDs can be easily detected through physical examination. Untreated STIs, such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis, can cause devastating health consequences, including infertility, paralysis, blindness, and pelvic inflammatory disease. Fortunately, all common STIs can be cured through antibiotics if diagnosed early. Learn more about STD testing in Bakersfield, California.
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California reported a dramatically high STI rate in 2016, with over 250,000 diagnosed, higher than any other US state. Bakersfield is amongst its worst-affected cities. Reportedly, someone contracts a new STI every hour in Kern County. Its incidence rate is the highest statewide, with 9,000 overall cases and 253 primary/secondary syphilis. Kern County’s syphilis rate is 90% higher than the statewide average, with 42 cases per 100k residents. Congenital syphilis is also rising in California, with 26 infected babies born in 2016. It is crucial for Bakersfield, California, residents to get tested for STDs. Scroll down for your nearest testing center.
2001 17th St, Bakersfield, California 93301
1.6 mile
Tel: 6616318514
Today's best offer is: $10 off any order. Discount will be applied automatically.
3535 San Dimas St Ste 18, Bakersfield, California 93301
3.05 mile
Tel: 6616318520
Today's best offer is: $10 off any order. Discount will be applied automatically.
3550 Q St. Ste 102, Bakersfield, California 93301
3.07 mile
Tel: 6613233353
Today's best offer is: $10 off any order. Discount will be applied automatically.
When visiting the health center for the first time: bring proper Identification, which may include social security card, valid driver's license, birth certificate or another form of official identification. Bring your Medi-Cal card, Medicare card or private insurance card...
1611 1st St, Bakersfield, California 93304
0.89 mile
Tel: (661) 336-5300
Tel: (661) 336-5303
Appointment Required: Yes
If you are uninsured, you may qualify for a state-funded program or a lower fee scale. Fees for services are based on your household income.
2633 16th St, Bakersfield, California 93301
1.35 mile
Tel: (661) 634-1000
Tel: (661) 634-1040
Appointment Required: No
When visiting the health center for the first time: bring proper Identification, which may include social security card, valid driver's license, birth certificate or another form of official identification. Bring your Medi-Cal card, Medicare card or private insurance card...
2400 Wible Rd, Ste 14, Bakersfield, California 93304
1.4 mile
Tel: (661) 835-1240
Appointment Required: Yes
When visiting the health center for the first time: bring proper Identification, which may include social security card, valid driver's license, birth certificate or another form of official identification. Bring your Medi-Cal card, Medicare card or private insurance card...
301 Brundage Ln, Bakersfield, California 93304
1.72 mile
Tel: (661) 323-6086
Tel: (661) 324-6301
Appointment Required: No
Need to enroll as a patient.
1451 White Ln, Bakersfield, California 93307
2.65 mile
Tel: (800) 300-6664
Appointment Required: Yes
When visiting the health center for the first time: bring proper Identification, which may include social security card, valid driver's license, birth certificate or another form of official identification. Bring your Medi-Cal card, Medicare card or private insurance card...
815 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Bakersfield, California 93307
3.01 mile
Tel: (661) 322-3905
Appointment Required: Yes
Need to enroll as a patient.
4151 Mexicali Dr, Bakersfield, California 93313
3.6 mile
Tel: (800) 300-6664
Appointment Required: Yes
Need to enroll as a patient.
4900 California Ave, Ste 100B, Bakersfield, California 93309
3.91 mile
Tel: (661) 459-1900
Appointment Required: Yes
Need to enroll as a patient.
4600 Panama Ln, Ste 102B, Bakersfield, California 93313
3.91 mile
Tel: (800) 300-6664
Appointment Required: Yes
Need to enroll as a patient.
3409 Calloway Dr, Bldg 300, Bakersfield, California 93312
3.91 mile
Tel: (800) 300-6664
Appointment Required: Yes
When visiting the health center for the first time: bring proper Identification, which may include social security card, valid driver's license, birth certificate or another form of official identification. Bring your Medi-Cal card, Medicare card or private insurance card...
2000 Physicians Plaza Blvd, Bakersfield, California 93301
3.91 mile
Tel: (661) 324-1455
Tel: (661) 324-3720
Appointment Required: Yes
Free condoms available upon request.
1800 Mount Vernon Ave, Bakersfield, California 93306
4.38 mile
Tel: (661) 321-3000
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 Bakersfield, California. 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.
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It is recommended to get tested for STDs if you have had unprotected sexual contact, multiple sexual partners, or if you are experiencing symptoms associated with STDs. Additionally, regular testing is recommended as part of routine sexual health care, even in the absence of symptoms, especially for individuals who are sexually active.
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.
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.
Similar to what was previously mentioned, herpes infections are known for their recurring tendencies – causing outbreaks now and then and thus causing an intermittent spike in the patient’s viral load for specific instances. In addition to that, other STDs also take time to proliferate and produce a sufficient viral load that could warrant a positive and, more importantly, accurate diagnosis and detection from the tests being administered. As such, detecting an STD a few days following exposure is often complex and unpredictable – leading physicians to follow a certain timeframe instead for testing STDs instead of blindly testing immediately following exposure. Physical exams, however, may supplement inaccurate laboratory diagnoses, especially in cases where the test is prone to false results.
Help stop the spread of STDs by knowing your status. Get tested today!