The CDC reports that STI (sexually transmitted infections) infected individuals are at an increased risk of developing HIV or other life-threatening health complications if the infection isn’t diagnosed early. Most of these infections are asymptomatic, which means the carrier won’t realize they are infected due to the absence of noticeable or unusual signs. STI-infected individuals are 2 to 5 times more vulnerable to acquiring HIV infection than uninfected people. Untreated STIs can also lead to adverse health outcomes such as increasing one’s risk of contracting another STI, cancer, and infertility. Always make STI testing a part of your annual health inspection routine. Learn more about where to find affordable testing in Hickory, NC.
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According to 2018 STD surveillance data, North Carolina ranked 6th among the top ten worst-affected states. Around 91,376 reported STD cases of common STDs (chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis) in 2018 against a population of 10.3 million. That’s 889 cases/100k people. Furthermore, 66,553 chlamydia, 23,725 gonorrhea, and 1,098 syphilis cases were reported in 2018. In addition, the state reported 1,218 new HIV infections. Given these startling numbers, getting tested for common STDs in Hickory, NC makes sense.
1781 Tate Blvd South East Suite 206, Hickory, North Carolina 28602
1.12 mile
Tel: 8283041232
Today's best offer is: $10 off any order. Discount will be applied automatically.
1949 Tate Blvd Se, Hickory, North Carolina 28602
1.39 mile
Tel: 8283248697
Today's best offer is: $10 off any order. Discount will be applied automatically.
560 Malcolm Blvd Ste F-7, Connellys Springs, North Carolina 28612
11.24 mile
Tel: 8285153007
Today's best offer is: $10 off any order. Discount will be applied automatically.
All services are provided free of charge.
211 NC 127 SE, Hickory, North Carolina 28602
0.34 mile
Tel: (828) 999-8744
Appointment Required: Yes
1120 Fairgrove Church Rd SE, Ste 28, Hickory, North Carolina 28602
0.34 mile
Tel: (828) 322-1447
Tel: (828) 322-8795
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.
1504 2nd St Ne, Hickory, North Carolina 28601
1.05 mile
Tel: (866) 389-2727
**If uninsured, an eligibility appointment may be required prior to office visits, in order to complete intake forms.
133 1st Ave SE, Hickory, North Carolina 28602
1.08 mile
Tel: (828) 994-4544
Tel: (833) 237-7737
Appointment Required: Yes
3070 11th Avenue Dr SE, Hickory, North Carolina 28602
3.6 mile
Tel: (828) 695-5800
Appointment Required: Yes
Free condoms available. Free Hepatitis A/B vaccines, while supplies last.
338 1st Ave SW, Taylorsville, North Carolina 28681
14.68 mile
Tel: (828) 632-9704
Tel: (828) 632-9008
Appointment Required: Yes
2345 Morganton Blvd , Ste B, Lenoir, North Carolina 28645
17.39 mile
Tel: (828) 426-8400
Appointment Required: Yes
STD Clinic provides services to anyone who may have, or suspects they have a sexually transmitted disease (STD). This clinic offers diagnosis and treatment. Parental consent is not required and results are confidential. Free condoms available.
700 E Parker Rd, Morganton, North Carolina 28655
18.34 mile
Tel: (828) 764-9150
Tel: (828) 764-9153
Appointment Required: Yes
200 Gamble Dr, Lincolnton, North Carolina 28092
19.42 mile
Tel: (704) 735-3001
Tel: (704) 732-9034
Appointment Required: Yes
If uninsured, an eligibility appointment may be required prior to office visits, in order to complete intake forms.
212 Gamble Dr, Lincolnton, North Carolina 28092
19.48 mile
Tel: (704) 735-7145
Tel: (833) 237-7737
Tel: (704) 732-7522
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.
1403 E Main St Walk-ins Welcome, Lincolnton, North Carolina 28092
19.65 mile
Tel: (866) 389-2727
If uninsured, an eligibility appointment may be required prior to office visits, in order to complete intake forms.
1022 Shelton Ave, Statesville, North Carolina 28677
24.65 mile
Tel: (704) 838-1234
Tel: (833) 237-7737
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 Hickory, 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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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.
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.
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.
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!