One in five Americans were diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection (STI) in 2018, taking the lifetime cost of treatment in a single year to $16 billion. Reportedly, the rise in bacterial STDs, including syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia, and virus-based infections like HIV is fueled by a reduction in condom usage, stigmas surrounding STDs, and low STD testing rates. The first step to optimum sexual health and well-being is making STD testing a regular part of your annual health checkup. Many comprehensive STD testing facilities are available in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Find your nearest clinic here.
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In Lancaster County, chlamydia and gonorrhea are the most common STDs, and the most impacted age group is 15-to-20-year-olds, contributing to half of all reported STD diagnoses. Since 2017, Lancaster County has observed a steady increase in STDs. At the end of 2018, there were 1,600, and in 2019, 1,661 reported STD cases. Gonorrheal infections also increased substantially, with 283 cases in 2009 to 551 in 2019. Ensure STD testing for your and your partner's safety, as these infections are passed on to others through intercourse, touching, and kissing. Free to low-cost STD testing facilities in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, are listed here.
330 North Arch St, Unit 1, Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17603
0.51 mile
Tel: 7172913262
Today's best offer is: $10 off any order. Discount will be applied automatically.
HIV testing not offered routinely, but on an as needed basis during normal business hours. Clinic provides referrals for STD testing services. HPV vaccines available for those under 19 who qualify.
1661 Old Philadelphia Pike, Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17602
0.32 mile
Tel: (717) 299-7597
Tel: (717) 396-7197
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.
1507 Lititz Pike, Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17601
0.32 mile
Tel: (866) 389-2727
Age 14 and older. No insurance is needed. Free condoms, dental dams, finger cots and lubricants available. Case Management for individuals diagnosed with HIV.
453 S Lime St, Ste A, Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17602
0.32 mile
Tel: (717) 397-6267
Appointment Required: Yes
554 N Duke St, 3rd Floor, Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17601
0.46 mile
Tel: (717) 544-4943
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 Lancaster, Pennsylvania. 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Test Advisor
Get informed about the different STD testing options and the prices for each test.
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!
