New Hampshire is among those US states where sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) rates are low. It usually ranks among the bottom states in chlamydia, syphilis, and gonorrhea, the top three most common reportable STDs in the USA. However, despite these STDs having remained less common in New Hampshire, a disturbing trend is noticed statewide where there has been a consistent rise in STD rates over the past four years.
Board Approved
Medically reviewed by one or more members of the editorial boardWhy Testing Matters?
Getting tested is highly imperative for all sexually active individuals regardless of their age, gender, ethnicity, or social status. It is one of the best and most crucial things you can do to ensure optimum sexual health and your partner's (s) well-being.
Apart from getting tested, it is essential to have an open and honest conversation with your GP/Doctor regarding your sexual history and determine the frequency of STDs testing you need to undergo.
STDs are contagious diseases and can be passed from one individual to another through sexual contact, skin-to-skin contact, sharing of needles, blood transfusion, etc. If a pregnant female suffers from primary/secondary (P&S) syphilis, the disease can be passed on to their unborn baby, which is a condition known as congenital syphilis.
If you don't get tested regularly, the STD may get unnoticed as most of them are asymptomatic. Untreated STDs can cause chronic health issues such as male/female infertility, fallopian tube blockage, tubal pregnancy, newborn deaths, miscarriage, and genital cancers. Moreover, it can also encourage human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission, and if HIV remains undetected, it causes a life-threatening condition known as Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Therefore, it is essential to get tested for STDs.
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750 Central Ave Ste E, Dover, New Hampshire 03820
Tel: 6037494444
Today's best offer is: $10 off any order. Discount will be applied automatically.
101 Riverway Pl, Bedford, New Hampshire 03110
Tel: 6036222357
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40 Winter St Ste 200, Rochester, New Hampshire 03867
Tel: 6033326181
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25 Pelham Rd, Ste 103a, Salem, New Hampshire 03079
Tel: 6038903708
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19 Hampton Rd Ste 13, Exeter, New Hampshire 03833
Tel: 6037729603
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Provides HIV Primary Care Services for all age groups.
1 Medical Ctr Dr, Reception 5C, Lebanon, New Hampshire 03756
Tel: (603) 650-8840
Appointment Required: Yes
1245 Elm St, Manchester, New Hampshire 03101
Tel: (603) 626-9500
Appointment Required: Yes
145 Hollis St, Manchester, New Hampshire 03101
Tel: (603) 626-9500
Appointment Required: Yes
45 High St, Nashua, New Hampshire 03060
Tel: (603) 821-7788
Appointment Required: Yes
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184 Tarrytown Rd, Manchester, New Hampshire 03101
Tel: (603) 626-9500
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 New Hampshire. 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.
New Hampshire STD Data
In New Hampshire, the P&S syphilis rate was 1.4 cases identified per 100,000 individuals in 2011, which increased to 3 cases per 100,000 in 2015. the state ranked 37th in P&S syphilis rates among 50 US states, revealed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) annual state profile. The same analysis suggested that the state had a low tendency of congenital syphilis as just one case was diagnosed between 2011 and 2015. Regarding chlamydia and gonorrhea diagnoses, New Hampshire ranked 50th in 2015 in the list of US states with the most chlamydial and gonorrheal infections with over 233 chlamydia diagnoses and 18.5 gonorrhea diagnoses per 100,000 people.
Since 2015, a 17% increase in chlamydia cases has been observed and a 103% spike in the rate of syphilis. However, a startling observation was made regarding gonorrhea as a 352% explosion in cases was recorded within 2016-2019. According to the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, STD rates have swelled considerably since 2018.
The state is experiencing a gonorrhea outbreak as new cases were up by a staggering 250% in 2016. It is worth noting that between 2007 and 2013, on average, the state reported 130 cases of gonorrhea per 100,000 population. In 2016, the state health department received reports of 465 gonorrhea cases, representing over 250% increment in gonorrhea incidences. State Epidemiologist Dr. Benjamin Chan states that these numbers are highly concerning.
"New Hampshire historically has had one of the lowest rates of gonorrhea infections in the country; however, over the last year, we have seen a significant increase in the number of reported cases," Chan noted. In 2017, the state experienced over 520 new gonorrhea cases, while chlamydia stands at 3,686 cases, and syphilis cases being relatively low compared to other states.
According to the data from CDC, during the year 2015, there were a total of 22 newly diagnosed cases of HIV/AIDS in the state, making the state rank at 46th of the 50 U.S states. The numbers of newly diagnosed cases in New Hampshire have slowly risen over the years. Considering the data from AIDSVu, the total number of people living with HIV in New Hampshire in 2018 was 1260, while the total number of diagnoses during the same year was 38 adults and adolescents.
On the other hand, the report shared by the New Hampshire Infectious Disease Surveillance Section, the total number of newly diagnosed cases of HIV in the state was 31. At the same time, there were ten newly diagnosed cases of AIDS. Most of the increase in cases in New Hampshire was found in Grafton and Sullivan Counties. Gay and bisexual men and other men who reported male sexual partners were the most affected by HIV. The most common ways of transmission of this virus include the male to male sexual contact, sexual contact with HIV-infected persons or having multiple partners, using contaminated syringes/needles, piercings and tattooing. Due to the technological advancements in medicine, HIV is now pretty much treatable, enabling the patient to live a healthy life; the only condition is early diagnosis.
As per the New Hampshire STD/HIV Surveillance Report 2015-2019, the reported chlamydia rates among women in New Hampshire were around two times higher than men, with 311.2 cases and 153 cases per 100,000 people, respectively. Chlamydia case counts remained stable on the whole, whereas gonorrhea and syphilis rates kept fluctuating during this period. People under the age of thirty and females of all ages represented the most affected population in this context.
Furthermore, the highest rates of chlamydia prevalence were traditionally found in the southern parts of the state, but lately, the rates have remained widely dispersed, particularly between 2018-2019.
On the other hand, gonorrhea was most commonly reported among people aged 20 to 39 years. However, unlike the case with chlamydia, gonorrheal infection largely affected the male population of New Hampshire. Hillsborough County, mainly the City of Manchester, was the most affected region in gonorrhea prevalence.
Regarding P&S syphilis, case counts remained stable between 2012 and 2015, but an increase was observed in 2016, and in 2017 the state government declared a syphilis outbreak across the region. In 2018, New Hampshire reported one congenital syphilis case and two cases in 2019, the first congenital syphilis cases reported in the state since 2013. Infectious syphilis was widely prevalent among gay, bisexual males and men who had sex with men. In addition to this, males living with HIV were also disproportionately impacted by infectious syphilis.
It is noted that females are more likely to get diagnosed with chlamydia in New Hampshire than males. This could be because women get screened more regularly, and the frequency of symptoms among them is higher than males. In New Hampshire, the rates of men undergoing screening for chlamydia are pretty low.
Furthermore, the state has reported higher diagnoses rates among ethnic/racial minorities, including Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Hispanic Individuals, compared to Asian, White, and Multiracial individuals. The disparities between white women and women of color are significant as in 2017 chlamydia rates were nearly five times higher among black women than white.
According to the New Hampshire Epi Profile for HIV/AIDS Prevention & Care & Planning, 2013, males were affected mainly by the virus. According to the same report, 78.7% of males and 21.3% of females contracted HIV in 2019. In comparison, 76.5% of males and 23.5 % of females had AIDS.
The virus was more prevalent in white and Hispanic individuals, 70.3% followed by black or African Americans, 15.6%, 9.5% Hispanic, and 2.6 % multiracial individuals. Considering the age, 44.6% of the cases were reported in individuals aged 50 and above. 19.9% were from the age group 45 to 49 , 14.2% from 40 to 44, 7.8% from 35 to 39 years, and 5.7% belonged to 30 to 34 years.
Considering the modes of transmission, the same report indicates that 50.8% of the virus was transmitted due to male or gay sex. 19.5 of the cases were reported due to heterosexual contact, and 6,6% of the cases were due to the use of contaminated needles/syringes for drugs purposes. The same report identified that Hillsborough, Merrimack, and Rockingham counties were mainly affected by HIV/AIDS.
New Hampshire's Infectious Disease Prevention, Investigation & Care Services initiative aims to prevent illness, disability, or death due to infectious diseases. This program is responsible for the provision of recommendations to prevent the spread and distribution of infectious diseases. Moreover, it focuses on encouraging patient-provider education, disease outbreak investigation, and financial assistance. However, it must be noted that the Infectious Disease Prevention, Investigation & Care Services initiative is a broad program that administers several other programs. These include STD Prevention, HIV Prevention, Infectious Disease Investigation, New Hampshire Ryan White Care, Viral Hepatitis, Public Health, and Education Detailing program, etc.
Though the state has Planned Parenthood-funded clinics that offer low-cost STD testing facilities, the program has seen a 25% decrease in its operating budget due to an interruption in federal funding and state-backed funding. This has drastically affected the state's STD testing rates as diagnosis conditions, and treatment services have reduced significantly. The funding cutback has impacted uninsured people the most.
Harbor care, in New Hampshire, is a state-based agency using funds from the Ryan White Part B program to facilitate HIV patients by providing necessary treatment, medications, housing, and financial assistance services. HIV-based services include medical case management, peer support services, and early intervention and prevention services.
Merrimack Valley assistance program is another organization working in New Hampshire to provide testing services, medical case management, emergency health, and financial assistance to the low-income HIV individuals of the state.
New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services is a government organization which as a specialized program that provides life-sustaining medications, quality clinical and mental health services to the HIV-positive residents of the state. This program uses funds allocated by the Ryan White Part B to improve the quality of life for HIV patients and their families.
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.
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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 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.
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.
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.
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.
Help stop the spread of STDs by knowing your status. Get tested today!
