The rising number of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in Michigan only reflects a shocking upward trend noticeable throughout the United States. The combined cases of common, reportable STDs, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis, are touching their all-time highs, revealed a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
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It is noted that the number of STDs cases is increasing in Michigan and across the USA. But, this also indicates better testing awareness among the masses. STDs testing should be a part of your annual medical check-up if you are sexually active, and testing should be conducted every three months if you have multiple sex partners. That’s because most STDs are asymptomatic and have no signs. The only time one realizes that something might be wrong is when an STI (sexually transmitted infection) has progressed into an STD, the more dangerous stage of the infection.
Untreated chlamydia can cause severe damage to the female reproductive system, gonorrhea and syphilis can cause adverse health outcomes such as infertility, stillbirth in infants, ectopic pregnancy, and increased risk of HIV.
In 2015, the CDC strengthened its chlamydia testing guidelines after identifying the potential dangers the infection entailed. This change of guidelines incentivized insurance providers/firms to encourage regular screening of females. The CDC has made it necessary for women of childbearing age, specifically those under 25, to undergo annual screenings for chlamydia. This is why Ottawa County’s chlamydia count among women increased from 754 cases in 2012 to 926 cases in 2018.
Testing for STDs is also necessary because infected individuals can pass on the virus to other, non-infected people, leading to an overall increase in the number of cases.
“Many infected people are unaware of their status, which allows them to unknowingly pass it to their partners. All sexually active individuals should speak to their health care provider about regular testing so they can get proper treatment and prevent the spread of disease,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ chief medical executive and chief deputy for health.
520 Cobb St, Cadillac, Michigan 49601
11.78 mile
Tel: 2317753345
Today's best offer is: $10 off any order. Discount will be applied automatically.
4290 Copper Ridge Rd, Traverse City, Michigan 49684
30.01 mile
Tel: 2316671617
Today's best offer is: $10 off any order. Discount will be applied automatically.
1010 S State St, Big Rapids, Michigan 49307
43.79 mile
Tel: 2312875053
Today's best offer is: $10 off any order. Discount will be applied automatically.
521 Cobbs St, Cadillac, Michigan 49601
10.25 mile
Tel: (231) 775-9942
Tel: (231) 775-5372
Appointment Required: Yes
Need to register as a patient.
520 Cobb St, Cadillac, Michigan 49601
11.82 mile
Tel: (231) 775-6521
Appointment Required: Yes
Anyone age 10-21 in the five county Traverse Bay Intermediate School district, enrolled or not enrolled in any school, are eligible for service at the youth clinics - KTown Youth Health Center or Youth Health & Wellness Center. All other ages are welcome at our main Health Department office.
112 S Brownson Ave, Kingsley, Michigan 49649
18.9 mile
Tel: (231) 263-5895
Appointment Required: Yes
Free condoms available.
6180 W Sanborn Rd, Ste 1, Lake City, Michigan 49651
19.56 mile
Tel: (231) 839-7167
Tel: (231) 839-7908
Appointment Required: Yes
Need to register as a patient.
117 N Roland, McBain, Michigan 49657
21.13 mile
Tel: (231) 825-2643
Appointment Required: Yes
2600 LaFranier Rd, Ste A, Traverse City, Michigan 49686
28.27 mile
Tel: (231) 995-6111
Tel: (231) 995-6113
Appointment Required: Yes
Anyone age 10-21 in the five county Traverse Bay Intermediate School district, enrolled or not enrolled in any school, are eligible for service at these youth clinics.
880 Parsons Rd, Ste 112, Traverse City, Michigan 49686
29.84 mile
Tel: (231) 922-6416
Tel: (231) 922-6472
Appointment Required: Yes
1135 E 8th St, Traverse City, Michigan 49686
30.41 mile
Tel: (231) 929-1844
Tel: (231) 929-2084
Appointment Required: Yes
Gonorrhea and Chlamydia testing as part of Family Planning Services. For general STD and HIV testing please call the Mt Pleasant office.
22054 Professional Dr, Ste D, Reed City, Michigan 49677
30.91 mile
Tel: (231) 832-5532
Tel: (231) 832-1020
Appointment Required: Yes
Need to register as a patient.
1615 Michigan Ave, Baldwin, Michigan 49304
30.97 mile
Tel: (231) 745-4624
Appointment Required: Yes
5681 S M-37, Baldwin, Michigan 49304
31.41 mile
Tel: (231) 745-4663
Tel: (231) 745-2501
Tel: (888) 217-3904
Appointment Required: Yes
Services are available to Tribal Members, descendants, or a member of any Federally Recognized Tribe.
2608 Government Center Dr, Manistee, Michigan 49660
31.63 mile
Tel: (231) 723-8299
Tel: (888) 382-8299
Tel: (231) 398-9684
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 Michigan. 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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Know all about STD testing options, and the costs of different STD tests.
Michigan STD Data
Michigan’s numbers are pretty unsettling when it comes to STDs. The state reported 51,256 chlamydia cases in 2018, which is an all-time high for the state, as per the 2018-2019 STD surveillance report from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). The average number of cases per 100,000 residents was 477 between 2008 and 2012, which in 2018 increased to 513 cases. Between 2008 and 2014, the recorded gonorrhea cases indicated a decline but post-2014, a 70% incline was noted when cases reached 16,922 in 2015. The average rate also increased from 120 cases between 2008 and 2012 to 169 cases per 100,000 residents in 2018.
A decline in primary and secondary syphilis cases was noted until 2013, but the disease showed a surge in 2018 with 654 cases overall, which is three times higher than the 216 cases reported in 2008. The average rate of cases per 100,000 population increased from 119 cases from 2008 to 2012 to over 169 in 2018.
It is worth noting that Michigan has experienced a rise in chlamydia cases, with 45,000 to 51,000 cases reported annually since 2008. In 2018, the state recorded a 1% rise as the number crossed 51,000. Gonorrhea cases recorded a 10% increase in 2018, whereas compared to 2008 statistics, the state reported a whopping 70% incline. Reported syphilis cases jumped by 36% in 2018 compared to the rate between 2008 and 2012.
In Michigan, chlamydia case rates by county vary considerably, as the MDHHS noted from 64 to 1,539 cases/100,000 residents. The highest disease burden was observed in Metro Detroit as 20% of all cases were diagnosed in Detroit and 46% in the Macomb‐Oakland‐Wayne Counties metro area. Gonorrhea cases are consistently highest in Detroit since the rate is 5.5 times higher than the rest of the state. Around one-third of all reported gonorrhea cases in 2018 were diagnosed among Detroit residents and 52% in the Macomb‐Oakland‐Wayne Counties metro area. In Michigan, gonorrhea cases reported a 73% hike between 2014 and 2018, and a 9.9% increase was noted between 2017 and 2018.
The city of Detroit accounted for 32% of all primary and secondary syphilis cases. 71% of the cases were diagnosed in the Macomb‐Oakland‐Wayne Counties metro area. A one-quarter drop is noted in syphilis cases after the state reported a syphilis outbreak in 2013. The cases rose again by 28% in 2016 and 36% in 2018.
Michigan lies in the upper Midwestern region of the United States. The state is the 11th largest state in terms of area, and according to the data from census records, the state is the 10th most populated state with a population of nearly 10.1 million.
Like the rest of the states in the country, several HIV-positive cases have been reported over the past few decades. According to the Centers for Diseases Control, CDC, in 2015, approximately 725 adults and adolescents were newly diagnosed with HIV in Michigan. Based on the number of newly reported cases, Michigan has been ranked 14th of the 50th U.S states for having the highest HIV cases. The state of Michigan has one of the highest rates of the new diagnosis of HIV. According to data from CDC, the annual HIV incidence in Michigan is approximately 700.
Michigan health authorities revealed that the number of new HIV diagnoses was the highest in 1992 but dropped considerably throughout the last decade. But during the last few years, the numbers of HIV diagnoses have started drastically increasing, especially among the black populations and individuals belonging to the age group 15 to 29 years.
According to data from 2017 by CDC, 18,900 individuals were living with HIV in the state. The same report indicated that there were 700 newly reported cases in the state in the last few years. CDC indicated that around 84% of residents of Michigan were aware of their HIV status, which indirectly means that there is a good number of HIV-positive individuals who were unaware of them being positive. On the other hand, AIDSVu reported that in 2018, 15,983 adults and adolescents were living with HIV in the state. 716 people were newly diagnosed with HIV in Michigan during the same year.
In Michigan, the highest increase in STDs during 2018 and 2019 was noted among adolescents, men who have sex with men, and the African-American community. This corresponds with the national trends where people aged 15-24 were the most impacted age group regarding STDs.
Reportedly, black males have the highest primary and secondary syphilis cases compared with any other racial or ethnic group in Michigan, with 47.0 cases/100,000 residents in 2018, which is around 8.9 times higher than white males. Moreover, around 89% of syphilis cases in Michigan were diagnosed among males. Most of these cases were reported among men who have sex with men.
In Michigan, females accounted for 67% of all chlamydia cases in 2018, mainly due to increased screening rates during routine visits as per CDC’s guidelines. Black females recorded a 5.7 times higher rate of chlamydia than any other race. Overall black population accounted for 49% of all chlamydial infections in Michigan. Compared to white males, black males reported a 3.8 times higher number of diagnoses. 68% of chlamydia infections were diagnosed in people under 25 years.
Regarding gonorrhea, the black race accounted for 66% of all diagnoses in the state, which is at least a 13.6 times higher rate than whites. Black males are disproportionately impacted by gonorrhea as they were 18.2 times more likely to be diagnosed with gonorrhea than white males. As witnessed in chlamydia, around 51% of all diagnoses were made among people below 25 years of age. Five-year average rates for chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis revealed that people between 30-44 years were the most affected age group in Michigan.
Moreover, congenital syphilis is also rising, and currently, its rates are at an all-time high in Michigan, with 14 cases identified in 2018. In contrast, 63 babies were born with congenital syphilis in the past five years. It is required by law in Michigan that all females should get tested for syphilis at their first prenatal visit, and the MDHHS works with clinicians to assure pregnant females are tested and treated timely and infected infants are also promptly treated.\
In 2015, CDC ranked Michigan 14th for having the highest numbers of HIV diagnoses in the country. According to the data from AIDSVu, there were 716 people newly diagnosed with HIV in the state. The same report indicated that 15 983 people lived with HIV in the state. Of the total people living with HIV, 79.1 percent were the state's male residents, while 20.9 percent were females. The rate of people living with HIV per 100,000 populations was 189.
The same report indicates that 55 percent of the people living with HIV in Michigan were black or African Americans while 33.9 % were white and 6.4% belonged to Latin or Hispanic backgrounds. The highest number of cases were reported from the age group 5 years and above (31.0%), followed by 26.4% from people belonging to ages 45 to 54 years, 18.4% from age group 35 to 44 years and 19.8% and 4.4% from the age groups 25 to 34 and 13 to 24 years respectively.
In 2018, the total number of HIV-related mortalities was 304, and the rate of HIV-related deaths per 100,000 population was 4. Most of the cases reported in the males were due to male-to-male sexual contact (80.2%), 6.9% due to heterosexual contact, and 5.6% due to the use of contaminated syringes. In females, the most popular transmission mode of HIV was heterosexual contact, 76.5%, and only 20.6% of the cases were reported due to the use of contaminated syringes.
To make sure that STD screening/treatment is accessible to high-risk communities, the MDHHS has established STD specialty care centers. The purpose of establishing them is to expand service options in select areas. Moreover, the MDHHS strives to build community awareness, offer technical assistance to medical providers, and introduce initiatives that target priority populace such as adolescents and women of childbearing age.
Community-based Approaches to Reducing STDs (CARS) is an important initiative established and funded by the Division of STD Prevention of CDC in 2011. The program was introduced to support the planning/implementation/evaluation of innovative projects to reduce STDs. The three main goals the program aims to achieve include- Reducing STD disparities; Promoting awareness about sexual health, Advancing community wellness. Through CARS, the state focuses on addressing STD disparities among bisexual, gay, and adolescent men as well as gender-nonconforming youth and the transgender community.
One of the two key initiatives under CARS includes Health Access Initiative, a free training program for health centers and clinics to improve access to sexual health care for LGBTQ+ youth. The other program is Advocacy Collective. An advisory board serves as consultants to educate the LGBTQ+ community via workshops, digital media, and presentations to create awareness about safe sexual health practices.
Sexually Transmitted Disease Control Program is offered by the Central Michigan District Health Department, under which testing for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Hepatitis C, Syphilis, and HIV is offered. Partner services include Family Planning and Health Promotion Programs. The testing is offered free of charge or at the lowest possible costs. High-risk populations, pregnant females, and women of childbearing age are given priority. Testing facilities are offered to everyone without religion, race, creed, origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, or ethnic biases.
Data from CDC reveals that the organization has awarded $8.7 million to various health departments and community-based organizations for HIV prevention activities, including HIV testing, HIV diagnosis, and linkage of the HIV patients to the medical care providers.
Chag Detroit is a Michigan-based organization that reduces health disparities, especially those regarding HIV in the state. The organization aims to reduce the number of HIV-positive cases by educating the general public regarding preventive measures, rapid testing, and free condoms and needles. Chag also provides access to medical adherence through a various integrated prevention and care services. The organization is actively participating in reducing the stigma related to HIV.
Unified, Michigan is yet another organization dedicated to providing HIV-related care and essential services. Unified provides direct medical care, support services, and prevention in terms of providing education to the masses. Unified also takes care of case management services, housing to the HIV-positive individuals and their families, and the provision of necessary linkage.
Damien Center also works actively in Michigan to facilitate the HIV-positive individuals in Michigan. The center provides case management services, housing assistance, primary medical care, and linkages to specialized medical care providers. Provision of free meals, support groups, and arranging employment for the unemployed HIV patients are also some additional services the center provides.
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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.
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.
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 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.
Help stop the spread of STDs by knowing your status. Get tested today!