In New York State (NY), the number of cases of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including chlamydia, syphilis, and gonorrhea, have been rising steadily for the past five years. In 2017, the state reportedly had over 119,570 chlamydia cases, 37,262 gonorrhea cases, and 2,650 primary and secondary syphilis cases.
Board Approved
Medically reviewed by one or more members of the editorial boardExplore Nearby Options
These numbers indicate an increase across the region. Since 2017, the state has observed a 2.4% increase in Chlamydia, a 9.3% increase in gonorrhea, and a 12.7% increase in syphilis cases. As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report, the number of syphilis cases in NY is rising after witnessing a substantial decline between 1940s-to-early 2000s. There's a dire need for federal, state, and local STD prevention initiatives to promote sexual, reproductive, maternal/parental, and newborn/infant health to reduce STD incidence.
Getting tested for STDs should be an important part of every sexually active individual regardless of gender, age, or cultural disparity. It is a crucial aspect of one's welfare, particularly when it comes to sexual health.
In NY, health officials find it difficult to detect STDs among those who do not undergo proper testing, diagnosis, and treatment. Most people are either unaware of their health condition or ignore the various symptoms that indicate an underlying sexual health issue. The sudden rise of syphilis, especially congenital syphilis, isn't an arbitrary event per se but a sign of the ongoing public neglect towards this epidemic and the deteriorating public health infrastructure within the state.
According to the CDC, symptoms of STDs don't appear right away. If left undetected or untreated, STDs often lead to serious health conditions, including cervical cancer, infertility, AIDS, and long-term STDs.
CDC recommends that testing should be a priority for every individual aged 13 or above, even if they haven't had any sexual activity in a while. Those who regularly have unprotected sex, have been sexually active recently, have more than one partner, have a new partner, or witness any unusual symptoms, must get tested immediately.
There's no need to feel wary or anxious about STDs testing. Most of these tests are performed quickly, and results arrive within a few minutes. Rapid HIV and STD test only require a swab in the mouth, while others require a urine sample. No needles are involved in an STD test. Since not all annual wellness exams include testing for STDs, it is your responsibility to ask to be tested. Some STDs may not even show symptoms and remain unnoticeable even for months or years. Therefore, testing is the only way of knowing whether you have an STD or not.
222 5th Avenue Ext, Gloversville, New York 12078
17.47 mile
Tel: 5188089080
Today's best offer is: $10 off any order. Discount will be applied automatically.
13 Palmer Ave, Corinth, New York 12822
19.87 mile
Tel: (518) 654-6499
Tel: (518) 654-7303
Appointment Required: Yes
400 N Perry St, Johnstown, New York 12095
20.72 mile
Tel: (518) 736-1911
Appointment Required: Yes
Serves Fulton County residents only. HIV testing available in office. HIV and STD testing appointments at Mohawk Valley Planned Parenthood available by calling 518-736-1911.
2714 NY-29, Johnstown, New York 12095
21.46 mile
Tel: (518) 736-5720
Tel: (518) 762-1382
Appointment Required: Yes
Need to register as a patient. New patients need to arrive 30 minutes early or fill out registration form in advance.
67 Division St, Amsterdam, New York 12010
24.78 mile
Tel: (518) 627-2110
Tel: (518) 627-2111
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 York. 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Test Advisor
Get informed about the different STD testing options and the prices for each test.
New York STD Data
NY rate of syphilis and chlamydia is one of the highest in the United States, as per a report from the National Council for Home Safety and Security (NCHSS) using the year 2017 data provided by CDC STD Surveillance Report. CDC claims that several factors are responsible for increasing the rate of STDs in the state. These include limited access to STD prevention/care, cuts to programs at the state and local levels, and a decreased use of condoms. These issues continue to drive an increase in disease prevalence. Furthermore, about half of the STD infections are identified in people aged 15-24.
In NY, the primary and secondary syphilis rate in 2011 was 5.6/100,000 people, which rose to 10.2/100,000 by 2015. In 2015, the state ranked 7th in primary/secondary syphilis rates, 12th in overall chlamydia rate (524/100,000), and 16th in gonorrheal infections (129.4/100,000) among the 50 US states. Between 2011 and 2015, NY reported 66 cases of congenital syphilis.
Among females, the reported rate of chlamydial infection was over 650 cases/100,000 females. This rate was around 1.7 times higher than males that reported 389.8 cases/100,000 males.
By 2018, the number of STD cases increased considerably. CDC ranked NY 10th, 10,8th 10th, and 24th among the 50 US states for total chlamydia, gonorrhea, primary/secondary syphilis, and congenital syphilis diagnoses, respectively. The highest rates of STIs (sexually transmitted infections) in the state was noticed among the youth, bisexual, gay, and MSM (men who have sex with men).
As far as ethnicities are concerned, the largest share of new STD diagnoses was reported among non-Hispanic African-Americans. Moreover, chlamydia was the most commonly reported STI in the state with approx. 119,670 diagnoses, which is 2.4% higher than the 2017 statistics and the largest number of diagnoses since chlamydial infection became reportable in 2000. Females aged 15-24 were at the highest risk of getting infected with chlamydia.
By 2018, the rate of gonorrheal infection increased 9.4% with 37,322 diagnoses. The percentage of increase was higher among males than females with 10% and 5.6%, respectively. Moreover, males aged between 20 and 34 and females aged 15 and 24 reported the highest proportion of cases.
Primary/secondary syphilis diagnoses rose to 12.8% in 2018, and 93% of the cases were reported among males. Despite the overall higher rate of diagnoses among males, primary/secondary syphilis has quadrupled among females since 2014.
The Bronx was at number 1 both in NY's statewide and citywide comparison the higher rates for STIs with over 23,700 reported cases (1.903 cases/100,000 people). Brooklyn had the highest rate of STDs infection in the country. Out of 100,000 residents of Brooklyn, around 817.6 have chlamydia, 18.7 have syphilis, and 285.9 have a gonorrheal infection. Its number of chlamydia cases is the 6th highest in the country.
However, this data represents just a portion of the actual STDs burden in NY. Many syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia cases remain undiagnosed and hence, unreported. Many other STIs like genital herpes, human papillomavirus, and trichomoniasis aren't reported at all.
HIV testing is fundamental for slowing down the spread of HIV infection. However, a majority of people remain unaware of their health status. That's why they are least likely to take precautionary measures that would help prevent virus transmission to others, and the rate of HIV cases keeps inclining.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 85% of over 1 million US citizens living with HIV are aware of their condition. About 40% of the new infections are transmitted by individuals who aren't aware that they are the virus's carriers. People who remain undiagnosed are at a higher risk of developing several life-threatening ailments, including cancer, organ failure, and AIDS.
CDC suggests that testing is the most significant first step towards preventing HIV transmission. According to the agency's revised HIV prevention guidelines, everyone aged between 13 and 64 must undergo testing and make it a part of their regular health care. Those at a higher risk must get tested annually.
For people with undiagnosed HIV, testing is the first step in maintaining a healthy life and preventing HIV transmission. The National Institutes of Health clinical trial revealed that early HIV diagnosis and treatment could prove to be immensely beneficial for those infected with the virus. They are at an increased personal health advantage than those who are diagnosed late or remain undiagnosed.
HIV tests are usually quite accurate. However, no test is efficient enough to detect HIV immediately after a person gets infected. That's why the sooner it is detected, the better chances of the person enjoying a healthy life again would be.
There are currently three types of HIV diagnostic tests available, including NAT (nucleic acid tests), Antibody Tests, and Antigen/Antibody Tests. The initial HIV test would be either an antibody or an antigen/antibody test.
In case the initial test is a self-test or a rapid test, and its result is positive, the individual must immediately visit a health care provider for follow-up testing. Conversely, if the initial test is conducted at a laboratory, and its result is positive, the lab will carry out the follow-up testing using the same blood samples.
New York has been able to reduce the number of HIV cases per year due to its dedicated efforts to expand the network of treatment. It typically begins with an effective citywide testing program. So far, the state has expanded the testing web to community health centers, businesses, colleges, hospitals, and churches.
By the end of 2017, the state dropped to number four in the number of new diagnoses with 2769/100,000 people and ranked 9th in the rate of new HIV diagnoses with 12.7/100,000 people. This shows the effectiveness of early testing addressing the HIV epidemic across the state.
For decades, New York State has remained the HIV epidemic's epicenter in the USA. However, there has been a considerable reduction in the number of new cases within the past few years. In 2018, around 127,162 people were living with HIV in New York. The same year, 2,456 people were diagnosed with HIV. However, the state still has more persons living with HIV than any other US state.
In the state, New York City is home to the largest HIV population, apart from being the largest city in the country. In 2018, around 100,644 people in the city were infected with HIV, while 1,812 individuals were diagnosed with the virus. On the other hand, Brooklyn has the greatest number of cases than any other borough, despite that the virus has reached a historic decline across New York City.
About one-third of all the cases in 1917 were diagnosed in Brooklyn with 558 new cases. This number was approx—100 more than other boroughs. The Bronx reported 440 cases, Queens had 358, Manhattan had 375, and Staten Island had 31 cases in 2018. The highest HIV diagnosis rates in 2018 were reported in Crown Heights and Lower Manhattan.
Research suggests that there is a strong link between high HIV rates and low-income areas in New York. Such as northern Brooklyn and upper Manhattan, both recorded higher rates of HIV infected people, and the patients had high levels of poverty. Similarly, African-Americans and Latinos are the highly impacted demography group as 8 out of 10 HIV carriers living in varying poverty levels were either black or Latino. Out of the 1917 diagnoses, 1761 lived in poverty. Eight hundred seventy-nine of them were African-Americas, 697 were Latinas, and 219 were White.
On the whole, New York City has observed an incredible 67% reduction in the number of new cases since 2001.
In 1984, the AIDS Institute established the Community Service Programs (CSPs), NY's first community-based institution that provided HIV/STD/Hepatitis prevention facility and client support services.
The CSP was later renamed Regional Prevention and Support Programs. The institute receives funding from the state and serves as a foundation for strengthening the region's capacity to deal with the STDs crisis. The agency is responsible for building and expanding HIV/STD/HCV-related programs across NY.
The 14 RPSS providers have a significant role in implementing the AIDS Institute and Division of HIV/STD/HCV Prevention strategies. These also happen to be crucial partners in achieving the Ending the Epidemic goals. Ending the Epidemic (ETE) is a revolutionary initiative launched by the health ministry in 2014 to prevent HIV transmission rate by reducing the number of STDs cases across the region.
NY provides funding to the Regional Prevention and Support Programs for targeted client engagement, targeted HIV testing, linking the patients to care services, STD/HCV screening, behavioral counseling, and offering effective interventions for people living with HIV, their families.
Additionally, the agency provides guidance for HIV-negative people to prevent them from engaging in high-risk sexual behaviors. It is also the agency's responsibility to offer navigation and linkage to care and ensure comprehensive PrEP/PEP education and screening. Promoting condom use, educating HIV-positive individuals and their partners, easy access to condoms, treatment adherence, and additional supportive services such as transportation are also part of its plan.
The NY health department offers prevention interventions and client services in the criminal justice and community settings. It also addresses the needs of those living with HIV and those at risk of HIV/STD/HCV, including young men of color, men who have sex with men, heterosexual men, substance users, transgender males/females, and females engaged in high-risk behaviors. The department must offer supportive services after considering the unique cultural and social needs of the particular demography group.
Expected outcomes for 2020-2021 from state intervention strategies including reducing disease incidence, decreasing the rate of HIV/STD/HCV transmission, increasing the proportion of HIV/STD/HCV -positive people who are aware of their status, and increasing the proportion of infected people to prevention, treatment, and medical care services.
New York was the first jurisdiction that launched a statewide initiative to eliminate HIV/AIDS. The state launched the Ending the Epidemic Initiative (ETE) in 2014, which has been very effective and yielded historic gains. Through this program, the government aims to end AIDS by decreasing the number of people living with HIV and offer effective treatment options. New York City is the country's first city to achieve the initial goal of reaching a 90% threshold in the diagnosis treatment and suppression as indicated in the Fast-Track Cities initiative.
Since 2014, over 300 metropolises have signed the 2020 challenge in New York, 90% of people living with HIV are aware of their status, 90% of diagnosed HIV infected individuals are receiving proper therapy, and 90% of those receiving treatment have achieved viral suppression.
New York once used to be the epicenter for HIV transmission in the US. As per the recent data, New York City has over 90% of HIV-positive residents already diagnosed and receiving treatment. The state has recorded a downward trend in the number of new HIV cases within the past three years.
This reduction could be partly attributed to New Yorkers as around 32,000 took PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) in 2018, which was 32% more than in 2015. That's how the state managed to reduce the number of new HIV cases from 2400 to less than 2000 in 2019-2020. City surveillance report suggests that despite 17% more New Yorkers living with HIV (approx. 125,000) in comparison to 2001, new diagnoses have reduced in almost every demographic group.
An integral part of the government's plan to curb HIV transmission is increasing medication availability. The government has allocated $20m in state funding for the ETE plan in this regard. According to the latest guidelines from the state government, New York health insurers will start covering PrEP drugs with co-pay. When someone tests positive, the individual is assigned a physician and a case manager. Sometimes the medication is covered under Medicaid, private insurance, or the state's AIDS Drug Assistance Program.
In 2010, the state amended its HIV testing law, and providers must offer tests to individuals aged 13 or above as a part of their routine health care. In 2014, the New York lawmakers also eliminated the need to obtain written consent to carry out an HIV test.
Through ETE, the government hopes to achieve zero HIV transmission via injection drug use and zero AIDS mortality rate. The initiative encompasses three key goals- identifying and linking undiagnosed people with HIV, retaining infected individuals in care, and facilitating improvement in access to PrEP to people at higher risk of contracting the virus.
Young adults and teenagers are disproportionally affected by STDs in NY. Although this age group comprises around 14% of the NY population, it amounts to a considerable chunk of total STDs cases, with 3 out of 5 patients reported among the youth.
Most STDs can have serious health consequences if left untreated, and a majority of them are asymptomatic. That's why comprehensive sex education is fundamental to prevent the youth from getting STDs. Reportedly, by age 18, around 1 in 4 sexually active teenagers in NY will have an STD.
The NY law required all students from grades kindergarten to 12 to obtain health education. Students in higher grades are required to have HIV/AIDS lessons annually.
However, in NY, public schools aren't required by law to make sexual health education as it isn't a part of the New York State Education Department's (NYED) 's health education mandate. From grade k through 12, schools are expected to offer basic HIV/AIDS education, but offering sex-ed is left to local school districts.
As per the law, elementary school classroom instruction must include a sequential sex-ed program for all students. But state regulations haven't specified the feasible number of lessons or duration of instructional time. In 2011, the NYCDOE made sex-ed a mandatory part of educational courses in middle and high schools. NY required one credit or 54 hours of health education for middle schoolers and high schoolers from grades 9-12.
NY's sex-ed policy has a drawback. It only instructs teachers to offer such activities that contribute to students' development of self-worth, respect for their bodies and making constructive decisions about their emotional, social, and physical health. The focus of sex-ed in NY for lower grades is to encourage pupils to become self-reliant in resolving their health issues.
In New York, African-Americans and Hispanics or Latinos comprise over three-quarters of the total HIV cases diagnosed in 2017. As per the year 2018 statistics, of all the people living with HIV in the state, 71% were males and 28% females. Regarding the racial/ethnic disparity, 37% of the infected individuals were blacks, 35% Hispanics/Latinos, and only 17% were white.
Age-wise, people above 55 years of age accounted for the highest number of cases with 42%, followed by the 45-54 age group that reported 26% cases in 2018. People between the ages 13-24 had the lowest number of cases (2.2%), while the 24-34 and 34-44 age group reportedly had 12% and 15% of all new diagnoses. Black men who have sex with meh were the most at-risk community regarding the rate of HIV transmission. While heterosexual black females were the most at-risk group among females.
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!
