Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are continually rising in the USA, marking an all-time high number of 2.4 million infections in 2019. This dramatic rise in the incidence and prevalence of STDs bears devastating public health consequences. Untreated STDs pose grave risks as these can cause infertility and cervical cancer and may lead to HIV. Charlotte has been observing high rates of chlamydia since 2020, along with a steady rise in other STDs. Therefore, you must get tested for STDs.
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In North Carolina, chlamydia infection rates rose rapidly in 2020 when the state recorded 64,342 cases at 607.0 cases/per 100k residents. The black community was declared a high-risk group as 1,045.5 cases/100k reported for females and 625.9/100k people for males. African-Americans accounted for over 30% of all chlamydia diagnoses in 2020. Conversely, syphilis and HIV cases are higher in Mecklenburg County, with 717 syphilis cases reported in 2021 compared to 567 in 2020, marking a 20% rise. State authorities urge sexually active individuals to get tested every 3 to 6 months. Here are some of the most affordable walk-in STD/HIV testing facilities in Charlotte, North Carolina.
1718 East 4th Street, Ste 302, Charlotte, North Carolina 28204
0.34 mile
Tel: 7043726607
Today's best offer is: $10 off any order. Discount will be applied automatically.
330 Billingsley Rd Ste 105, Charlotte, North Carolina 28211
1.84 mile
Tel: 7043624919
Today's best offer is: $10 off any order. Discount will be applied automatically.
8401 Medical Plaza Dr.,ste 140, Charlotte, North Carolina 28262
8.25 mile
Tel: 7047172591
Today's best offer is: $10 off any order. Discount will be applied automatically.
700 S Torrence St, Charlotte, North Carolina 28204
0.28 mile
Tel: (704) 536-7233
Tel: (704) 536-7581
Appointment Required: Yes
1225 Harding Pl, Ste 2100, Charlotte, North Carolina 28204
0.5 mile
Tel: (704) 331-9669
Appointment Required: Yes
Need to become a patient to receive services. Clinic participates in the Ryan White program and offers a sliding scale program for uninsured residents of Mecklenburg County, including free medical care to qualified participants who reside in Mecklenburg County.
1350 S Kings Dr, Ste 600, Charlotte, North Carolina 28207
0.92 mile
Tel: (704) 446-4490
Appointment Required: Yes
601 E 5th St, Ste 140, Charlotte, North Carolina 28202
1.14 mile
Tel: (704) 375-0172
Tel: (704) 943-3748
Appointment Required: Yes
Anyone living with, affected by, or at risk for HIV. Anyone interested in HIV/STI prevention or testing options. Anyone seeking condoms.
601 E 5th St, Ste 470, Charlotte, North Carolina 28202
1.14 mile
Tel: (704) 372-7246
Tel: (704) 372-7418
Appointment Required: No
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.
12830 Walker Branch Rd, Charlotte, North Carolina 28273
1.16 mile
Tel: (866) 389-2727
3333 Wilkinson Blvd, Charlotte, North Carolina 28208
1.16 mile
Tel: (866) 299-4968
Appointment Required: Yes
PrEP offered for free to high-risk uninsured individuals.
5301 Wilkinson Blvd, Charlotte, North Carolina 28208
1.16 mile
Tel: (704) 316-6561
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.
10515 Mallard Creek Rd Walk-ins Welcome, Charlotte, North Carolina 28262
1.16 mile
Tel: (866) 389-2727
Practice is a non profit and Ryan White Grant Recipient. HIV and community services provided for privately insured, Medicaid, Medicare, TriCare, Ryan White, and sliding scale.
6010 E W T Harris Blvd, Charlotte, North Carolina 28215
1.16 mile
Tel: (704) 208-4134
Tel: (704) 248-6068
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.
210 E Trade St Ste E186, Charlotte, North Carolina 28202
1.38 mile
Tel: (866) 389-2727
Currently, not testing at this site. Free HIV self tests available by mail. Need to be a Mecklensburg County resident, over the age of 12, and not have been tested for HIV in the past 90 days. Testing by appointment also available at the NorthWest Clinic.
249 Billingsley Rd, Charlotte, North Carolina 28211
1.67 mile
Tel: (704) 336-4700
Tel: (704) 336-4629
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 Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Help stop the spread of STDs by knowing your status. Get tested today!