The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH), Office of STD/HIV, is responsible for conducting statewide surveillance to detect and determine STD cases and monitor trends.
In Mississippi, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, and Syphilis are reportable STDs, which means it must be reported to the state.
Board Approved
Medically reviewed by one or more members of the editorial boardWhy Testing Matters?
According to state health officials, the alarmingly high rates of STDs in the state are due to its diluted health structure. However, the government has implemented several new strategies to combat the continuously inclining infection rate among Mississippians.
The STD/HIV program aims to reduce mortality and morbidity rates associated with HIV and STDs, including Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Syphilis, and HIV/AIDS. The program also connects people with disease prevention and control services or resources, including health care facilities for HIV patients.
Furthermore, affordable testing for the STDs mentioned above and HIV infection across the state at all county health departments is a part of the government's public services. Affordable testing is also ensured at clinics, academic institutions, correctional facilities, and community-based organizations through partnerships. STD treatment is available at all health department clinics.
If left untreated, STDs can lead to organ damage and infertility while increasing the risk of HIV infection. Hence, testing is essential to make an early diagnosis of these diseases, start treatment, and prevent transmission. Untreated STDs also lead to long-term health consequences, especially in adolescent girls and young females. CDC estimates that untreated and undiagnosed STDs cause approx. 24,000 females in the US to become infertile.
Most STDs are often dormant; therefore, you must undergo regular screenings for detecting infection at the right time to protect yourself and your loved ones. Avoiding testing for STDs puts you and the community at risk for health complications and contracting other infections. If caught early, STDs are curable. Do consider one of the STD Testing locations for screening and get yourself checked today!
Find a Lab
4816 Lakeland Dr, Jackson, Mississippi 39232
Tel: 7695723482
Today's best offer is: $10 off any order. Discount will be applied automatically.
1120 Main St, Southaven, Mississippi 38671
Tel: 6622806594
Today's best offer is: $10 off any order. Discount will be applied automatically.
3543 Bluecutt Rd, Columbus, Mississippi 39705
Tel: 6623270861
Today's best offer is: $10 off any order. Discount will be applied automatically.
1010 West 1st Street, Laurel, Mississippi 39440
Tel: 6016497496
Today's best offer is: $10 off any order. Discount will be applied automatically.
12207 Highway 49 Suite 30, Gulfport, Mississippi 39503
Tel: 2288323622
Today's best offer is: $10 off any order. Discount will be applied automatically.
350 W Woodrow Wilson Ave, Jackson, Mississippi 39213
Tel: (601) 982-8467
Appointment Required: Yes
Testing open to the general public; please call for location and information. Organization available to perform testing off-site for health fairs in the community. Free condoms available.
103 Broad St, Ste B, Hattiesburg, Mississippi 39401
Tel: (601) 450-4286
Tel: (601) 450-4285
Tel: (601) 329-2425
Tel: (601) 336-0902
Appointment Required: Yes
Free HIV testing is offered to the community daily. Must be HIV positive to receive treatment.
1413 Strong Ave, Greenwood, Mississippi 38930
Tel: (662) 459-1207
Appointment Required: Yes
HIV testing services at the Meridian Location (601) 693-0118. Need to register as a patient.
67 Mulberry St, Shuqualak, Mississippi 39361
Tel: (662) 793-4845
Appointment Required: Yes
Need to register as a patient.
9715 MS-12, Tchula, Mississippi 39169
Tel: (662) 834-1857
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 Mississippi. 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.
Test Advisor
Know all about STD testing options, and the costs of different STD tests.
Mississippi STD Data
Sexually transmitted disease (STD) infection rates are continually rising in the US state of Mississippi. The annual Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance Report 2018 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in collaboration with Innerbody.com's research team, disclosed startling statistics regarding the growing number of STD cases in Mississippi.
According to the report, in 2018, there were 327 reported cases of Gonorrhea in Mississippi at a rate of 326.7 per 100,000 population, which is the highest rate compared with other US states. On the other hand, Mississippi reported 22,086 cases of Chlamydia, at a rate of 740.1 cases, and 464 reported Syphilis cases, at 15.5 per 100,000 population.
In Mississippi, the rate of combined cases of Syphilis, Chlamydia, and Gonorrhea is exceedingly high. Within the US, the rates reached an all-time high during 2018, with Mississippi being the front runner. In 2017, the state ranked number 1 for reported new Gonorrhea cases, and females, particularly African-Americans, were affected the most. It also ranked number 9 in reported new cases of Syphilis.
The state has the 3rd highest rate of Chlamydia in the entire US, the highest rate of Gonorrhea, and the 3rd highest Syphilis rate in the country, which is indeed an alarming situation. Between 2017 and 2018, the reported Gonorrhea cases rose by 5% in Mississippi, Chlamydia cases increased by 3%, and Syphilis cases (both primary and secondary) rose by a staggering 15%, the highest since 1991. Mississippi also topped the list of highest STD index rates with a score of 0.83.
According to 2015 statistics, Mississippi’s population was 2,992,333, out of which 55% reside in rural areas. The state has the highest percentage of people living in poverty with 22.4% against the national percentage of 15.3%, therefore, Mississippi has high rate of uninsured individuals, with 39% having PLWHA and just 14% having Medicaid.
In 2015, Mississippi ranked 6th in the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in a nationwide survey whereas Jackson had the fourth highest HIV and the highest AIDS diagnosis rates in any US metropolitan statistical area (MSA) comprising of 500,000 or more population. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported in a 2017 study that Mississippi occupied the 9th position in nationwide increase in HIV infections whereas in 2016 the state was at number 8.
Surprisingly, the rate of HIV/AIDS infections in Mississippi is disproportionately high for MSM (men having sex with men), as 85% of men who reported to indulge in MSM were at a higher risk of contracting HIV. In 2017, the rate of new HIV cases in Mississippi was higher among black males aged between 20 and 24, whereas young adults aged between 20 and 29 represented 43% of newly diagnosed cases as a whole.
According to a 2018 study published in JMIR Public Health Surveillance, HIV infection rates per 100,000 population is dispersed across the Mississippi. The state recorded 127 to 1350 cases in the Jackson area for the whole population, and around 271 to 4054 HIV cases reported per 100,000 African-Americans. Delta residents and the greater Jackson area residents, according to the study, were at a higher risk for contracting HIV.
According to the year 2010 CDC report, in Mississippi state, almost 69% of Gonorrhea cases occurred among blacks with a rate of 432.5 cases per 100,000 population. The HIV/STD infection rate among Hispanics was 49.9 cases per 100,000 people.
In contrast, the rate of reported cases among whites was 23.1 per 100,000 population. In Blacks, the rate of Chlamydia reportedly was 1,383 cases per 100,000 people, whereas in Hispanics, it was 467.9 cases per 100,000 people, and for whites, the rate was 156.1 cases. The rate of primary and secondary Syphilis among African-Americans was 8-times higher among blacks than whites and 2.2-times higher than Hispanics.
As per the 2010 CDC report, the rate of congenital Syphilis among blacks was 3.1 cases per 100,000 live births; on the other hand, among Hispanics, the rate was 8.4 cases per 100,000 people.
The Mississippi State Department of Health STD/HIV Office reported that around 21.4% of people with HIV are unaware of the infection. Though African-Americans represent approx. 37% of the entire Mississippian populace has the largest rate of HIV infection, with 72.7% and 78.5% of the newly reported cases of HIV in 2010 also belonged to African-Americans. Deaths due to HIV are also steadily increasing, particularly among senior Mississippians.
In 2010, 31.9% of people died of HIV aged 40-49, while 37.6% aged 50 and above. The death rate due to HIV was higher among males with 73.2 percentage, whereas the death rate was higher in African-Americans, with 79% deaths and Public Health District V residents with a 35.5% rate.
African Americans have the highest percentage of living cases of HIV (72.7%), as well as the highest number of HIV cases ever reported in Mississippi (72.6%). In contrast, whites represent just 23.3% of living cases and 24.2% of HIV cases reported in Mississippi to date. Every year there have been at least 250 deaths due to HIV since 2001, but authorities claim that this doesn't portray a true picture of HIV related deaths due to reporting delays.
Around 35.2% of HIV infected Mississippians attribute it to MSM followed by heterosexual sex with 16.9% of all living cases, whereas 35.2% of all cases reported MSM as the leading cause behind the infection, and heterosexual sex was reported by 17.4% of all cases. Mississippi District V has not just the highest number of all-time reported cases (40.2%); it also ranks at the top in individuals living with HIV (38.5%). District IX was at number 2 in 2010, with 12.8% individuals living with HIV and 12.6% of HIV cases ever reported.
According to the year 2010 CDC report, in Mississippi state, the HIV/STD infection rate among Hispanics was 49.9 cases per 100,000 people. In contrast, the rate of reported cases among whites was 23.1 per 100,000 population.
SeniorList.com revealed in a recent study based on the CDC's latest statistics that Mississippi ranks 19 among the 50 states where seniors (citizens aged 55 or above) were at higher risk of HIV infection and subsequent complications, including death. There has been a 124.2% increase in HIV/AIDS cases among seniors. The increase is indeed eye-opening.
SeniorList.com revealed in a 2020 study based on the CDC's latest statistics that there has been a 120% rise in STD cases among senior citizens in Mississippi. The state ranks 19 among the 50 states where seniors (citizens aged 55 or above) were at higher risk of HIV infection and subsequent complications, including death.
However, the 85.2 rate of STD infected seniors per 100,000 people is still lower than the national average of 103.2 per 100,000 residents. In terms of HIV infection, there has been a 124.2% increase among seniors, a 65.2% increase in Chlamydia cases, a 176.5% increment in Gonorrhea cases, and an 8.3% increase in Syphilis cases.
By law, the state of Mississippi, by law, isn't permitted to teach safe sex in academic institutions/schools after House Bill 999 was passed in 2011. Now, public school districts must adopt and implement either an abstinence-only or abstinence-plus sex education policy, and the Mississippi Department of Education's approved sex education curriculum. Before implementing HB999, Mississippi ranked number 2 in the US for the rate of pregnancies, teen births, and Gonorrhea and Chlamydia infections across all age groups. In contrast, it ranked number 7 in the rate of HIV infections and Syphilis infections across all age groups.
Teen birth rate and STD infection rates have always been high in Mississippi over the years, which is a problem that must be addressed by adopting medically-accurate, age-appropriate, and evidence-based sex and health education.
Unfortunately, the bill didn't provide adequate funding to school districts for carrying out its proposed mandate. Districts implemented the Creating Healthy and Responsible Teens (CHART) initiative with the federal government and non-profit/government partners' support at no cost. CHART is compliant with the state's sex education law and also offers technical assistance and training to ensure that each district remains compliant.
Additionally, Mississippi actively fought for federal funding for STDs/HIV programs/services and offered several useful programs to help out HIV infected individuals. The state's STDs/HIV office's Surveillance Branch offers ongoing systematic data collection, evaluation, assessment, and dissemination facility to describe HIV and STDs, whereas the Education Branch plans, implements, and evaluates intervention programs designed to reach high-risk and high-priority target demography.
The Evaluation Branch actively managed federal funding provided throughout the state for Community-Based Organizations. Conversely, the STDs/HIV Office manages funds that the state receives through the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency Act (CARE) 's provision of Part B and offers life-sustaining therapies to patients living with HIV/AIDS. However, the state almost exclusively relies on federal programs to offer care and services for STDs and HIV.
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.
Cities Nearby
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.
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.
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.
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.
Help stop the spread of STDs by knowing your status. Get tested today!
