The state of Missouri is also noticing a constant and sharp rise in the number of STDs cases. The most prominent STDs in the country and Missouri are chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. The rates of all three infections have risen in the past five years. As per the CDC, Missouri was ranked 7th in the overall gonorrhea rates, 12th in chlamydia cases, and 11th in primary/secondary syphilis cases.
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Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) that eventually turn into STDs can impact the genital, anal area, and mouth. However, some STDs/STIs may be transmitted through sexual skin-to-skin contact and an unborn child from an infected mother during pregnancy. STIs could be bacterial or viral. A viral infection can be impossible to treat if it is not diagnosed at the right time. Though a virus may remain inside the human body for life, its symptoms may not be present at all times.
Conversely, a bacterial infection is caused because of a bacterial organism, and active infection can be easily cured. The infection could be treated early, and if it remains untreated, it can cause irreparable damage to the body, such as sterility or infertility. These are lasting health consequences and may cause the onset of other chronic diseases such as HIV or impact functions of other body organs.
As per the 2019 report from CDC, there was a sharp rise reported in cases of congenital syphilis between 2015 and 2019 as the rates nearly quadrupled. Regarding infection rates in Missouri, the southwest region is the most affected one as far as syphilis cases are concerned. Moreover, the highest prevalence of STDs in the state mirrors the national trends since 15-24-year-old individuals make up nearly 61% of chlamydia cases and 42% of all gonorrheal infections. Therefore, it is essential to get tested if you fall into this age bracket and even otherwise. The CDC asserts that every sexually active individual must get screened for STDs at least once a year.
1220 E State Route 72, Rolla, Missouri 65401
4.64 mile
Tel: 5733684641
Today's best offer is: $10 off any order. Discount will be applied automatically.
200 N Main, Ste G51, Rolla, Missouri 65401
3.41 mile
Tel: (573) 458-6010
Tel: (800) 301-4942
Appointment Required: No
1032 B Kingshighway St, Rolla, Missouri 65401
4.1 mile
Tel: (573) 364-1509
Appointment Required: Yes
101 12th St, Crocker, Missouri 65452
23.9 mile
Tel: (573) 736-2217
Tel: (573) 736-5370
Appointment Required: Yes
202 W Main St, Steelville, Missouri 65565
26.08 mile
Tel: (573) 775-2555
Tel: (573) 775-3826
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 Missouri. 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.
It is recommended to get tested for STDs if you have had unprotected sexual contact, multiple sexual partners, or if you are experiencing symptoms associated with STDs. Additionally, regular testing is recommended as part of routine sexual health care, even in the absence of symptoms, especially for individuals who are sexually active.
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.
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.
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.
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Get informed about the different STD testing options and the prices for each test.
Missouri STD Data
According to 2017 statistics, over 32,000 cases of chlamydia were reported in Missouri. After population adjustment, the state was declared the 20th most impact state in the USA regarding chlamydia rate with 536 cases/100,000 people. Moreover, Missouri has been recording a consistent rise in chlamydia cases since 2013, and by 2017, it was up by 16%, making it the second-highest, most affected state in the region.
After population adjustment, Missouri ranks in the top fifteen states nationwide regarding the overall gonorrhea rate as it was ranked 11th for rising gonorrhea cases. Missouri’s rate of gonorrheal infections was almost 25% higher than the overall national rate in 2017, with over 200 cases per 100,000 population.
It is worth noting that Missouri’s gonorrhea rate has been increasing every passing year since 2014 after observing a period of decline. From 2012 to 2017, the state’s gonorrhea prevalence rate has jumped by 64%.
When it comes to primary/secondary syphilis, the state ranks in the top 20 most impacted states. Still, its overall incidence rate is comparatively lower than other states, with just over 8 cases/100,000 people. However, between 2012 and 2017, the state’s syphilis cases nearly quadrupled, and in the past three years, the rate has spiked tremendously. In the Midwest region, Missouri ranked second in 2017-2018 for the rate of primary/secondary syphilis.
A recent study by Innerbody.com, using data from CDC and the US Census Bureau, revealed that two Missouri cities were included in the 100 most impacted US cities in cases of STDs. These include St. Louis (no. 67) and Kansas City (no. 70).
Recent data suggests that the HIV diagnosis rate in Missouri is on the rise and a disproportionately high number of people living with HIV are in rural counties.
As per CDC, Missouri is among the seven states having a substantially high rural burden as over 75 cases or 10% of all diagnoses are reported in rural areas. This concentration is most likely because of the lack of access to health care facilities in these regions.
As per the data shared by AIDSVu, in 2018, around 12,622 people were living with HIV in the state, and 447 new cases were diagnosed in Missouri statewide. Moreover, the percentage of late HIV diagnoses in 2018 was 21.7%.
Most of the infected people are on antiretroviral therapy. It is a drug-based regimen that lets infected individuals live longer and prevents the virus from being transferred to others. However, in rural areas of Missouri, it is pretty difficult for people to access HIV testing and treatment, due to which the cases are higher in these areas.
According to the state health department, HIV has impacted two metropolitan areas the most, including Kansas City and St. Louis ate 17.6 and 25.3 cases/100,000 people, respectively. Furthermore, male Missourians are 4.6 times more vulnerable to catching the disease than females.
Between 2016 and 2017, the number of chlamydia diagnoses in Missouri went up from 30,843 in 2016 to 32,683 in 2017. This rise was noted primarily in HIV care regions except for the southeast. The number of reported cases was higher in St. Louis, with 1,421 cases/100,000 people.
On the other hand, the diagnosis rate was higher in people aged 15-19. White females accounted for the second-largest share of cases in females with a 32% overall rate. In contrast, African-American females reported the most prominent rate of STD diagnoses, with over 36% of all cases. A similar scenario was observed among the males as Black males reported over 26% of all cases, followed by white males with over 17% cases.
The number of gonorrhea diagnoses between 2016 and 2017 also reported a significant rise, with 11,479 cases to 13,086 cases. HIV Care regions reported a sharp rise except for the St. Louis HIV Care region. St. Louis again reported the greatest number of gonorrheal infections with over 730 cases/100,000 people. Cases were higher among 15-19-year-old people.
Black females reported 31% of all cases, followed by white females with over 19% of all gonorrhea cases in Missouri. Black males reportedly had the largest share of gonorrhea diagnoses, with over 17% of all cases. White males accounted for the second-largest population group impacted by gonorrhea, with over 7% of all diagnoses.
The number of reported primary/secondary syphilis cases rose from 400 in 2016 to 507 in 2017. Iron County reported the highest number of cases with over 58 cases/100,000 people. African-American populace was disproportionately impacted with around 5.8 times higher number of syphilis cases than whites.
The number of early latent syphilis cases was higher in Dunklin County with 63 cases/100,000 people, and males had the higher share of diagnoses with over 84% of all cases. The case rate was six times higher in the black population compared to whites. It is important to note that in Missouri, of the 423 syphilis cases reported in 2017, around 38% were reported among people living with HIV.
Apart from geographic differences regarding HIV diagnoses in Missouri, the infection’s distribution and spread are uneven. In Missouri, approx. 10,000 people are living with HIV, and nearly 500 new infections are reported every year. It is important to note that people of color, particularly African-Americans and Latinos, have shown considerable increment in the number of reported cases.
The most at-risk populations are racial minorities and MSM (men who have sex with men). According to 2019 statistics, the largest number of new HIV diagnoses were in people between 25 and 34 years of age. An alarming trend noted in the past few years is that many new infections are reported among young adults of color and adolescents.
In 2018, 82% of males were diagnosed with HIV, whereas 17% of females were HIV positive. As far as the ethnic profile is concerned, Whites were the most at-risk group of the population. Around 45% of all diagnoses were reported in whites, followed by African-Americans with 43%, and Hispanics reported only 6.2% of all cases. It is reported that in the past two years, people between 25-34 years of age are getting diagnosed with HIV at a faster rate, with 32% of all cases.
On the other hand, the second largest at-risk group was 13-24 with 26% of all diagnoses, followed by age 35-44 with 20% of all cases. Between 2008 and 2018, the number of cases has remained consistent with 543 in 2008, 520 in 2009, 568 in 2010, 524 in 2011, 532 in 2012.
A slight decline was noted between 2013 and 2015 when cases went down to 465, 465, and 463, respectively. However, this trend was short-lived as in 2016 and 2017. The number rose to 509 and 504. This shows the incidence of HIV in the state has remained high in the last decade.
Missouri’s Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance team analyzes and tracks data on the three common and reportable diseases, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis. They collect data such as demographic, disease, condition-specific, geographic, and diagnosis rate-related information. The focus of this department is to ensure accurate diagnoses and timely reporting of STDs statewide, as the government believes these are vital parts of successful disease control.
The team enables public health agencies to detect infected contacts or at-risk population, determine the prevalence and incidence of STDs in a particular region in Missouri, aid physicians and clinics in evaluating illnesses not just in the patients but also at the community level, and assist the general public to make informed decisions regarding their lifestyle and sexual health.
Furthermore, the STD surveillance team is responsible for enhancing disease control efforts across the state, identifying any shifts in disease trends that may indicate increased incidence, and devising policies/prevention or intervention strategies to control STDs outbreaks. It also regulates Missouri STD Specialty Clinics to provide confidential testing/treatment of common STDs and HIV/AIDS to a broader public scale.
The University of Missouri has launched the Show-Me ECHO program. Under this initiative, an ECHO is designed to train and educate health care providers/professionals in developing multidisciplinary approaches to evidence-based HIV care and prevention.
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services offers a wide range of programs and services to meet the needs of HIV-positive individuals and at-risk communities. The primary focus of these initiatives is on preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS, offering widespread testing facilities, counseling individuals at high risk, and offering care for people living with the disease.
Missouri government has engaged actively in ending the HIV pandemic through strong partnerships with the state, local, and federal government agencies and community-based organizations.
In this regard, the Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) is a very ambitious plan. It was announced in 2019 and aimed to end HIV in the country within ten years. Missouri, reportedly, is among the 57 jurisdictions selected for the initiative’s first phase due to the disproportionate occurrence of the disease in the state’s rural areas. Reportedly, the EHE initiative intends to reduce new HIV infections in the USA by 75% in the next five years and by 90% in the next ten years.
For Missouri, the initiative’s primary goal is to reduce new HIV infections and ensure that people living with HIV are aware of their infection, linked to HIV medical care, and maintain viral suppression. The program’s efforts are focused on four strategies that are known as EHE pillars. These include Diagnose, Treat, Respond, Prevent.
Early
Identification of Individuals with HIV/AIDS (EIIHA) is another program that provides
linkage to care data to partners, coordinates between DIS, Prevention, and Care
to appropriately identify individuals who do not have access to care. It also
identifies and connects with new partners, expands testing to rural areas, and
monitoring data to determine testing needs in different counties.
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!
