Delaware is one of those US states with the largest number of sexually transmitted disease (STD) cases. The centers for Disease Control (CDC) states that chlamydia and gonorrhea are the top two STDs in Delaware. As per the CDC's STD surveillance data, Delaware has the 8th highest rate of chlamydia diagnoses across the state, and in gonorrhea, it ranks tenth. Moreover, the state has the 24th highest rate of primary and syphilis (P&S) cases. In 2016, the state reported 5,365 chlamydia cases, 58 syphilis, and 1,702 gonorrhea cases altogether.
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People aren't generally aware of their sexual health status, so when they develop an STD, they cannot detect it. That's because STDs tend to be asymptomatic, and initially, there aren't many symptoms. This is noted explicitly among women as they cannot identify any difference until the situation gets worse. That's why medical experts encourage all sexually active individuals, regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, or age, to get tested even if they think nothing is wrong.
In Delaware, the number of STD cases is increasing steadily, and one of the reasons is that protection is not being used. Sexually active people now refrain from using condoms due to many advanced contraception measures available, which increases the risk of STI (sexually transmitted infection) transmission. However, it is worth noting that STDs are preventable if you are aware of safe sex practices and get yourself tested regularly. Screening once a year is a great way to stop the spread and rise of STDs.
550 S Dupont Blvd Ste B, Milford, Delaware 19963
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253 NE Front St, Riverwalk Shopping Ctr, Milford, Delaware 19963
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316 Railroad Ave, Goldsboro, Maryland 21636
15.91 mile
Tel: (410) 634-2380
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16.02 mile
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Free Rapid Testing for HIV.
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16.24 mile
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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 Delaware. Check them out to find out which option is suitable for you.
| Testing Method | Waiting Times | Speed of Results | Positive Consultation |
|---|---|---|---|
Private Testing (Walk-In Clinic) | 10-20 Minutes with No Wait | 24-72 Hours | Free With Positive Result |
At-Home STD Testing | No Wait | 5-11 Days | Free With Positive Result |
Doctor Visit with Insurance | Call for Appointment | 7-10 Days | Co-Pay Required |
Doctor Visit without Insurance | Call for Appointment | 7-10 Days | Out-of-Pocket Cost Required |
Public Clinic | Limited Hours and Long Lines | 7-14 Days | No |
Learn more in our ultimate guide to STD testing.
Although NAATs are well-known for their accuracy and sensitivity in detecting most STDs, it is also subject to certain inconsistencies, especially in the case of herpes infections. In Herpes, outbreaks often result in a relative increase in the patient’s viral load – leading to a timeline that usually has specific peaks at certain intervals instead of a consistent rise in viral load throughout. As such, sensitive tests such as NAATs are still unable to accurately diagnose herpes conditions, especially in cases where the patient has recently become asymptomatic and is currently between outbreaks. Other tests such as culture testing and type-specific virologic tests are often employed instead as a confirmatory diagnosis for the patient’s condition.
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.
It would vary depending on the condition that is being tested. STDs behave differently due to the varying pathogenicity of each STD’s causative organism. In some instances, you can get accurately tested as early as two weeks following exposure, while some are intermittently inaccurate due to its recurrence (much like in the case of herpes infections). To avoid this, be sure to discuss the intricacies of the test with your physician to understand whether a particular test could provide you with a conclusive diagnosis or if it still needs another confirmatory test to establish its premise.
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.
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.
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Delaware STD Data
The STD situation in Delaware is erratic. While the state, on the whole, boasts high rates of common STIs like chlamydia and gonorrhea, when it comes to other STDs such as syphilis and hepatitis B, Delaware has some of the lowest rates. The most concerning aspect about Delaware STD rates is that regardless of the disease, the cases of most STIs are showing an upward trend statewide. In fact, that's the scenario in the entire country where the rates of STDs are increasing for the past four years, specifically for gonorrhea, syphilis, and chlamydia.
Reportedly, the population-adjusted rate of chlamydia cases in Delaware was 566.3/100,000 people in 2016-17, putting the state at number 14 overall and recording a 7% higher rate than the national average. This rate is at least twice more than the 226 cases/100,000 people reported by West Virginia, the state with the lowest rate of chlamydial infections. In addition, Delaware's chlamydial infection rate has been on the rise since 2014. Compared to the year 2012 statistics, it was around 20% higher in 2014.
The number of gonorrhea cases reported around the same time was 187/100,000 population. This rate was roughly 10% higher than the overall national average between 2016-17, and the state was ranked at no. 14 in the highest gonorrhea infections rate list of the 50 US states. It is nearly five times higher than the rate of gonorrhea cases in Vermont, which was 32.5/100,000 people making it the bottommost state in gonorrhea in the USA. Like chlamydia, the gonorrhea rate has also increased in Delaware since 2012 and has nearly doubled by now.
In Delaware, the rate of syphilis infection is fairly low, with 6 cases/100,000 people in 2016, putting it at number 29 in the national list of highest syphilis rates. Delaware's rate of syphilis cases is one-third lower than the national rate and seven times higher than Wyoming's rate with 0.7/100,000 people. Wyoming has the nation's lowest rate of syphilis in the country. Although a drop was observed in syphilis cases in the state, compared to 2012 statistics, it has increased by nearly 50%.
Delaware is a small U.S state located in the Mid-Atlantic region of the country, the second smallest and the 6th least populated state among all the 50 states in terms of area. The state is also named 'the diamond state, considering its strategic location and scenic locations. This state has been ranked 38th in terms of having the largest number of cases in the U.S.
In 2018 the total number of people living with HIV in Delaware was 3,316. Of the total numbers, 92 were newly diagnosed during the same year. According to the AIDSVu, the rate of people living with HIV in Delaware per 100,000 population was 404, while the rate of new diagnosis during 2018 per 100,000 population was 11. According to 2018 statistics, the virus affected the Black American population more as compared to the whites. In addition, the prevalence of the virus was more in males in comparison to females.
Despite reporting a decline in the number of gonorrhea cases over the past two years, the state's rate of chlamydia infections has increased nevertheless. In 1998, there were 2,608 chlamydia cases diagnosed statewide, while by 2011, the number increased to 4,508. Surprisingly, females accounted for most of the cases diagnosed between 1998 and 2011.
Moreover, people aged 18-29 were more involved in social media use; as per the latest survey by the Pew Research Center, around 86% of overall social media use was attributed to this age group, and that's the same group responsible for reporting the highest number of STDs cases. This situation is not just observed in Delaware, but the nationwide trend is also quite similar. In Delaware, around 68% of all chlamydia cases are diagnosed in adolescents and youth between 15 and 24.
Regarding gonorrhea, around 67% of all diagnosed cases in Delaware were diagnosed in 15-29-year olds. This indicates an alarming new trend that STIs and STDs are dramatically increasing among Delaware teens, specifically those between 14 and 17. Young adults tend to be more sexually active in Delaware than teens in other states, making up around 25% of its sexually active population. In the US, people between 15-24 age groups account for around 20 million newly diagnosed STIs, claims the CDC.
In 2015, the rate of chlamydia and gonorrhea among women was higher than men, reported CDC. People aged 11-15 reported 38 chlamydia cases and seven gonorrhea cases, those aged 15-19 reported 996 chlamydia and 134 gonorrhea cases, females between 20-24 reported 1,233 chlamydia cases and 212 gonorrhea cases, women between age 25-29 reportedly had 489 of all chlamydia cases and 149 of overall gonorrheal infections. Conversely, there were three congenital syphilis cases reported between 2011 and 2015.
By 2018 there were a total of 3,316 people living with HIV in Delaware. The new diagnosis during the same year was 92, which is less than 2015 (109 newly diagnosed cases). According to the data from AIDSVu, the rate of people living with HIV per 100,000 population was 404, while the rate of new diagnosis per 100,000 population was 11.
Considering the data from AIDSVu, it is evident that the males from Delaware were mainly affected. The report indicates that 69.7% of the males and 30.3% of females living with HIV in 2018. Black Americans were disproportionately affected by the virus. Black Americans made up 23.2% of the total population of Delaware, but 57.7% of the total number of HIV-positive patients were Black Americans. 29.0% of the total numbers were White Americans, while 9.1 % were of Hispanic or Latin origin.
HIV rates are the largest in individuals belonging to the age group 55 and above (41.7%), followed by 45 to 54 years (27.8%) and 35 to 44 years (15.5%). Young adults and adolescents aged 13 to 34 years made up 15% of the total population of people living with HIV in Delaware. Reportedly, there were 58 HIV-related deaths in Delaware. The rate of deaths of people with HIV per 100,000 population was 7. Of the total HIV- related mortalities, 72.4% were males, while 27.6% were females. 62.1% of the total mortalities were reported in individuals of age 55 and above.
The prevalence of the virus was more in gay males. According to data from AIDSVu, the most common mode of transmission of HIV in males was male-to-male sexual contact (58.6%). Heterosexual contact in males accounted for 18.7% of the total cases, and 14.6% of the cases were reported due to injection drug use. In females, heterosexual contact accounted for 73.6% of the total cases, while 23.4 % reported due to injection drug use.
In Delaware, STD data, which includes data on gonorrhea, chlamydia, and primary and secondary syphilis is reported to the Division of Public Health (DPH) by STD clinics, correctional facilities, private physician offices, laboratories, and outpatient facilities. In 2019, DPH planned to ramp up its STI diagnosis efforts and invested heavily in newborn baby screening services by outsourcing from a private firm.
According to state officials, through an increased focus on STDs, it will become possible to deal with the increasing number of cases, which has become a general trend due to the viruses growing resistance against antibiotics. The state overall performs around 40,000 venereal tests per year. Delaware's Sexually Transmitted Disease Program provides statewide management, training, and education to care providers for ensuring the prevention/treatment of STDs.
The Delaware Public Health Laboratory (DPHL) is augmenting its efforts to improve STDs testing methods and continually add new and advanced molecular methods. Therefore, the STIs section was predominantly improvised to include various tests under one section in January 2018. Previously, these were part of the Microbiology and Virology sections. However, due to an increase in testing volumes, these two sections were merged.
All physicians, laboratories, and health care providers in Delaware are required to report patients diagnosed with STDs to the Division of Public Health Sexually Transmitted Disease Program. This is a crucial aspect of offering an appropriate public follow-up to patients, identifying outbreaks, and understanding the STDs trends in Delaware.
The government of Delaware has a specialized program called the HIV prevention program with a mission to provide treatment, essential care, support, and educational services to the people living with HIV and the general public. In addition, the program provides testing services as well as treatment options.
Delaware HIV Consortium is yet another initiative to cater to the needs of HIV patients in Delaware. The Delaware HIV Consortium also provides health care professionals with the requisite resources needed to implement HIV testing efficiently. This organization works together with the primary and secondary healthcare providers to break the barriers, reduce stigma and raise awareness regarding HIV prevention and treatment.
It also acts as a bridge between the patients and the primary health care providers to ensure the treatment of patients and counseling is carried out. The primary goals of the Delaware HIV Consortium are to reduce the number of newly diagnosed HIV cases, reduce the HIV-related health disparities, and ensure the provision of proper care and treatment to all the individuals living with HIV in Delaware.
Christiana Care in Delaware has been providing its HIV-related services for the last three decades, and it is one of the major HIV-care providers in the state. The program claims to care for 65% of the total people living with HIV in Delaware. Christiana Care's services include primary medical care, access to Delaware AIDS Drug assistance programs, health maintenance, and counseling services.
How Does it Work?
Most people experience feelings of hesitation when going to get tested for STD, despite knowing they might have contracted one. EasySTD was created to change that.
Visit your nearest lab or clinic, order your home testing kit online, and follow the given instructions from an STD testing provider.
After ordering your STD test, visit the testing center to get tested or take a self sample including urine, cotton swab, or finger prick with the home testing kit and mail it back.
Receive the lab-certified results of your STD test from your test provider via mail or phone within 2 to 3 days. If the test comes positive, consult your doctor immediately.
Help stop the spread of STDs by knowing your status. Get tested today!
