The number of new sexually transmitted disease infections (mainly chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis) in the state of Minnesota decreased slightly in 2020, compared to 2019 statistics. However, the state reported a rise in gonorrhea cases. On the other hand, the number of chlamydia and syphilis cases dropped in the state. This drop could be due to lower STD testing rates in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or sexually transmitted infections (STIs) refer to the same condition. STDs are infections caused by parasites, bacteria, or viruses, and these organisms generally spread from person to person through sexual activity, particularly vaginal, anal, and oral sex. Some STDs, for instance, Hepatitis B or HIV, get transmitted through blood transfusion or via sharing syringes/equipment used for body piercing, injecting drugs, or tattooing. Pregnant females infected with STDs can pass the infection to their babies during pregnancy, while giving birth, or through breastfeeding.
In Minnesota, an HIV outbreak was declared in Ramsey, Duluth, and Hennepin counties in 2020, primarily due to people not getting tested for STDs at the right time. An STI can progress into HIV and AIDS if it remains untreated. The outbreaks affect people injecting drugs, sharing needles, and MSM (men who have sex with men) community. State Epidemiologist Dr. Ruth Lynfield urges people to get tested for STDs and HIV to stay aware of their health status.
“It is also really important to get tested regularly for HIV and STDs, and if you are diagnosed with HIV, to take and stay on treatment to make the levels of virus undetectable,” noted Lynfield.
110 7th Street W, Park Rapids, Minnesota 56470
21.85 mile
Tel: 2186993121
Today's best offer is: $10 off any order. Discount will be applied automatically.
2980 Buckley Way, Inner Grove Heights, Minnesota 55076
8.18 mile
Tel: (651) 788-4444
Appointment Required: Yes
400 Michigan Ave, PO Box 519, Walker, Minnesota 56484
25.83 mile
Tel: (218) 547-1340
Tel: (218) 547-1448
Appointment Required: Yes
HIV and STI testing through Family Planning clinic.
22 Dayton Ave SE, Wadena, Minnesota 56482
29.43 mile
Tel: (218) 631-7629
Appointment Required: Yes
13060 Isle Dr, Baxter, Minnesota 56425
33.81 mile
Tel: (218) 828-2880
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 Minnesota. 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.
Yes. Certain companies offer at-home testing kits wherein you are the one that will collect the specimens necessary for the test at the comfort of your own home. Sure, it might sometimes be subject to errors due to the potential contamination of the sample from collection to transportation, but it does offer a great deal of privacy and convenience for patients who would prefer to have their identities hidden in fear that their community will judge them.
Similar to how other testing procedures behave, false-positive results are still evident even in STD testing. False-positive and even false-negative results are standard instances that showcase the imperfection of the test’s design – a factor that is present everywhere. However, despite certain inconsistencies in laboratory tests as such, physicians commonly use confirmatory tests that would often take another path entirely to arrive at the same conclusion – solidifying the initial test’s diagnosis while still ensuring that the second test is not following the inconsistencies of the first.
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.
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.
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Get informed about the different STD testing options and the prices for each test.
Minnesota STD Data
The Minnesota Department of Health reported 33,250 sexually transmitted infections in 2020, compared to the number reported in 2019, 33,725, hence marking a 1% rise. According to the latest estimate released by the Minnesota Department of Health, chlamydia is the top reported STD in the state with 21,942 reported cases, marking an 11% increase from the rates of 2019, while gonorrhea is the second most reported infection with 10,217 cases, marking a 27% increase. At number three is syphilis, the cases of which reported a 3% decrease with 1,093 cases in 2020
As per the annual state STD surveillance report 2020, around 1,127 syphilis cases were reported in 2019, which was around 23% up from the previous year. Considering the number of syphilis cases in 2020, it is evident that the cases are decreasing. The report further noted that a sustained outbreak had been observed in northern Minnesota since at least 2016 that got spread to metropolitan areas in 2019.
For state health officials, the increasing cases of congenital syphilis are of particular concern as in 2019, r21 infants reportedly were born with the disease. This is at least two times higher than the number noticed in 2020, with a rate of 67% and the highest number of congenital syphilis cases reported to date.
State STDs estimates suggest that despite a 1% decrease, the fact cannot be ignored that STDs are still at near historic high levels. It is worth noting that the state reported a decrease in chlamydia cases for the first time since 2009. Furthermore, one out of three cases were reported in Greater Minnesota, and at least four cases were reported in every county.
Despite the slight decline in syphilis, the state recorded an increase in the more symptomatic, early stages of the disease by 8% in 2020 than in 2019. New syphilis infections were centered within the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Furthermore, primary and secondary syphilis cases increased by around 8% in 2020, with 416 cases reported overall, whereas, in 2019, the state reported 385 cases.
The very first case of HIV was discovered in Congo in the 1950s, and it took three decades for the virus to finally come to the United States. In 1981 the first case of HIV was reported in the United States. Due to the widespread and life-threatening effects of the disease, HIV has been declared a global epidemic. Due to the recent advances in modern medicine and medical technologies, health authorities have successfully reduced the number of new diagnoses and improved the conditions of life of people living with HIV.
All Minnesota residents must remain fully aware of their sexual health status. It is now extremely easy to get tested for HIV as statewide HIV testing clinics are established that offer confidential HIV testing. Now you can get your test result within twenty minutes. Moreover, there are home HIV test kits are available at drug stores and pharmacies. If you live in Minnesota and haven’t been tested for HIV previously, you can qualify for a free at-home rapid HIV test kit. Or else, you can request your doctor for confidential HIV test when you go for your routine medical visit. Also, a majority of insurance plans now cover HIV testing.
According to the Centers for Diseases Control (CDC) data from the state health profile of Minnesota 2015, an estimated number of 287 adults and adolescents were newly diagnosed with HIV in the state. Considering the newly diagnosed cases, Minnesota was ranked 28th of the 50 U.S states for having the largest number of new HIV cases. Despite the initiatives by the health authorities in the state, the number of newly diagnosed HIV cases has somehow remained the same.
HIV/AIDS epidemiological profile indicates that in comparison to the rest of the country, Minnesota is considered a low to moderate HIV/AIDS incidence state. According to the same report, an estimated 7988 individuals were living with HIV/AIDS in Minnesota. Of these people, 4221 makes 53% live with HIV, while 3767, 47% live with AIDS in Minnesota.
As mentioned above, CDC ranked Minnesota 28th of the 50 U.S states for having the largest HIV cases in 2015. The newly diagnosed cases during the same year were 287. Comparing the HIV statistics through the years, another report by AIDSVu indicates that by 2018, the total number of people living with HIV in the state was 8575. The newly diagnosed cases in the same year were 288.
Independent sources indicated that during 2021, many cases of HIV outbreaks were reported in the state. Despite being in the minority in the state, Black/African Americans made up sixty-nine percent of all diagnoses of HIV/AIDS in the state during 2020.
According to the state health department annual STD surveillance report 2020, a majority of chlamydia cases were reported among teenagers and young adults, age 15-24, in 2020. Around 41% of all gonorrhea cases occurred among the same age group, and around three-quarters or 74% of all reported gonorrhea cases were reported in the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area.
New gonorrhea infections were mainly centered within the male population of the Twin Cities metropolitan area, specifically among men who have sex with men. Conversely, syphilis was more prevalent among females, particularly pregnant females or those of child-bearing age. Primary/secondary syphilis cases rose by 8% in 2020, and the largest concentration was seen in the male population, mainly among men who have sex with men.
As per the state’s STD data, between 2008 and 2018, black, non-Hispanic reported at least 9.7 times higher chlamydia cases compared to whites. On the other hand, American Indians reported a 5.5 times higher rate, Asians reported 2 times higher, and Hispanics reported 2 times higher rate. Regarding gonorrhea, black, non-Hispanics reported 16 times higher rates than whites, American Indians reported 12 times higher rates, Asians reported 2 times higher, and Hispanics reportedly had 3 times higher number of cases.
In males and females, syphilis cases were reportedly higher in people aged 25-29 years in 2018. The next most impacted group was 30-39 years old, and the third most affected group was 20-24 years old. The total number of syphilis cases was 292 in Minnesota, out of which 47% were reported in white non-Hispanics, black non-Hispanic population reported 24% of all cases, American Indians were diagnosed with 12% of all cases, and Hispanics reported 10% of all cases.
According to data from AIDSVu, in 2018, 8575 individuals were living with HIV in Minnesota. Of the total numbers, 288 were newly diagnosed during the same year. The rate of people living with HIV per 100,000 population in 2018 was 184.
Out of the total people living with HIV in the state, 75.1% were males, while 24.9% were females. 45.2% of the people living with HIV were white Americans, 36% black Americans, and 10.8% individuals from Hispanic backgrounds.
According to the same report, HIV was most prevalent in people age 55 years and above (31.9%), followed by 28.7% cases from the age group 45 to 54 years, 21% cases from 35 to 44 years and 14.9% and 2.9 from age group 13 to 34 years.
In 2018 the total HIV-related deaths were 82, and the rate of HIV-related mortalities per 100,000 population in the state was 2. According to the same report, the most popular transmission mode of the virus in males was male to male or gay sexual contact (77.2%). Only 5 % of the spread was reported due to the use of contaminated syringes. In females, heterosexual contact accounted for 81% of the cases, while 13.7% were reported due to the injection or use.
Minnesota’s STD/HIV Partner Services Program is an important initiative referring people diagnosed with STD or HIV to medical and preventive services. It also offers a Partner Services Health Representative services where a dedicated individual obtains information about the infected individual’s partner(s) and gets discreetly in touch with them to discuss the situation and inform them about the exposure without explaining their individual’s health status or circumstances. The partner is then referred to testing and necessary medical treatment if they may need it.
The Minnesota Chlamydia Strategy- Action Plan for Reducing and Preventing Chlamydia in Minnesota is another significant step to reduce chlamydia incidences in the state. It is Minnesota’s first comprehensive, statewide action plan designed to address the chlamydia epidemic, given that chlamydia rates continue to rise in the state, whereas federal funding for testing, screening, and treatment has decreased substantially over the years. State funds are virtually non-existent.
STD and HIV Section of the Minnesota Department of Health has recognized that addressing the growing number of chlamydia rates is beyond the department’s scope and available resources, which is why it has offered opportunities to form new partnerships within the state and outside its public health jurisdiction to receive innovative ideas and approaches, specifically for the youth as they are the most affected population group in the state. The Minnesota Chlamydia Partnership involves over 300 individuals and numerous organizations from Minnesota. It was formed in 2010, and all partners are required to work together and create a common framework for action to decrease chlamydia cases in the state.
Due to the life-threatening impacts of HIV/AIDS, health authorities across the country have been working to reduce the cases of HIV/AIDS, providing testing and diagnostic facilities, treatment, and overall improving the living conditions of people living with HIV/AIDS.
In collaboration with various agencies working for HIV/AIDS in the state, the Minnesota department of health works on several projects to create awareness regarding the virus and promote ways to prevent the spread of the virus. The organization initiates projects such as condom distribution and syringe exchanges.
Rainbow Health Initiative is a nonprofit organization that was founded in 2000. The organization has several community activists, health care professionals, health advocates, and the state's residents. The objective of this organization is to improve the health and living conditions of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer residents of Minnesota. The organization provides education, clinical, and advocacy services.
Red Door Clinic is the largest HIV and STD testing clinic in Minnesota. The clinic provides testing, primary treatment, case management, and educational services for HIV and other STDs. With the organization's funds from the Ryan White Part B initiative, the red door clinic provides insurance and financial assistance services to low-income people living with HIV.
Youth & AIDS
is yet another program that provides individual risk assessment, risk reduction, counseling services to HIV-positive individuals. The program also provides essential medical services to the HIV/AIDS patients of Minnesota.
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!
