The CDC reports that gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis are three of the most common, notifiable STIs in the USA. The department reported over 1.6 million chlamydia and 677,769 gonorrhea cases in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic was at its peak. The situation has worsened lately, with 2.5 million new infections reported in 2021. The CDC claimed around 68 million people were living with STIs in 2018, so the disease burden could be much higher now. Learn more about why STD testing is essential in Reading, Pennsylvania.
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Pennsylvania's STD rate is considerably lower than the national average. Where the US average per 100k people for gonorrhea is 188.4 cases, Pennsylvania's rate is 125.4 cases. This doesn't mean the rates would remain low because the state has been recording a sharp incline in STD rates since 2021. Since 2017, the year-on-year increase is 4.9% in the state, whereas nationally, it is 3.5%. Allegheny County experienced a 9.9% rise in STD rates between 2017-2018, while Westmoreland County reported a 2.9% increase. STD testing is necessary to combat STDs and prevent them from spreading. Find your nearest testing clinics in Reading, Pennsylvania, here.
1110 Rockland St, Reading, Pennsylvania 19604
1.81 mile
Tel: 4843392235
Today's best offer is: $10 off any order. Discount will be applied automatically.
No eligibility requirements for HIV testing or STD screening and treatment services. Services for persons living with HIV disease - Berks or Schuylkill County residency required. Free condoms available.
429 Walnut St, Reading, Pennsylvania 19601
0.14 mile
Appointment Required: No
525 Penn St, Reading, Pennsylvania 19601
0.3 mile
Tel: (610) 898-0766
Tel: (484) 855-0798
Tel: (484) 509-4249
Appointment Required: Yes
838 Penn St, Reading, Pennsylvania 19602
0.46 mile
Tel: (610) 988-4838
Proof of Positivity required for Ryan White HIV/AIDS program.
301 S 7th Ave, Ste 3170, West Reading, Pennsylvania 19611
1.18 mile
Tel: (484) 628-9386
Tel: (484) 628-9387
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 Reading, Pennsylvania. 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.
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.
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.
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.
Test Advisor
Get informed about the different STD testing options and the prices for each test.
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!
