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.
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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!
4816 Lakeland Dr, Jackson, Mississippi 39232
39.42 mile
Tel: 7695723482
Today's best offer is: $10 off any order. Discount will be applied automatically.
1488 MS-487, Sebastopol, Mississippi 39359
15.21 mile
Tel: (601) 625-7403
Tel: (601) 625-7404
Appointment Required: Yes
Must be a Newton County resident.
15776 Hwy 15 N, Decatur, Mississippi 39327
17.69 mile
Tel: (601) 635-2337
Appointment Required: Yes
226 White Oak Ave, Raleigh, Mississippi 39153
23.33 mile
Tel: (601) 782-9919
Appointment Required: Yes
Sliding Fee Discount Program is based on family size and income.
100 Brooks Ave, Pelahatchie, Mississippi 39145
23.55 mile
Tel: (601) 854-6805
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.
| 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.
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.
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.
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Get informed about the different STD testing options and the prices for each test.
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.
Help stop the spread of STDs by knowing your status. Get tested today!
