In Rhode Island (RI), as per the latest data available from the state health department, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are on the rise. As per the new data, the number of cases in all three common STDs, namely chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis, is currently highest compared to the last ten years. In RI, there has been a 391% increase in primary/secondary syphilis cases and a 359% rise in the number of gonorrhea cases compared to 2010.
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It is imperative to be mindful of your sexual health and get yourself tested at least once a year for all common and reportable STDs/STIs (sexually transmitted infections).
Syphilis is a bacterial infection that is spread from one person to another via sexual contact. Although it is a treatable infection, the risk of re-infection is always there if your partner remains untreated. Untreated syphilis infection can cause severe, lasting health issues such as neurological and cardiac diseases.
In pregnant females, untreated syphilis is a leading cause of infant deaths and stillbirths. Or else, it can cause developmental delays and seizures among babies. If diagnosed at the right time, syphilis can be cured with antibiotics.
On the other hand, gonorrhea is also an infection caused by bacteria that spreads via sexual contact. Though it is a treatable STD, strains of gonorrhea have become resistant to standard medications. If not untreated timely, it can cause devastating reproductive health issues, particularly for females. Pregnant ladies can transmit it to their newborn babies, leading to health issues for the baby.
Chlamydia is also caused by bacteria that spread through sexual contact, and it can re-emerge even after a person gets treated if their partner isn't treated. Untreated chlamydia can cause life-threatening health outcomes like pelvic inflammatory diseases and causes male/female infertility. In females, it is one of the main risk factors behind ectopic pregnancy. While chlamydia is treatable people generally remain unaware of their condition and this causes the infection to convert into a disease. The only way you can determine your sexual health status is by testing/screening for common STDs. If diagnosed early, all STDs can be treated and their transmission can be prevented.
215 Toll Gate Rd Ste 102 Basement, Warwick, Rhode Island 02886
8.39 mile
Tel: 4017379032
Today's best offer is: $10 off any order. Discount will be applied automatically.
308 Callahan Rd, North Kingstown, Rhode Island 02852
2.34 mile
Tel: (401) 295-9706
Tel: (401) 295-0920
Appointment Required: Yes
Please visit the website or call for eligibility requirements. STD testing, HIV PrEP and PEP for patients 18+. Trichomoniasis testing available as part of STD testing services.
1285 S County Trl, East Greenwich, Rhode Island 2818
5.73 mile
Tel: (866) 389-2727
Please enroll as patient to receive services. There is a small fee for HIV testing.
191 MacArthur Blvd, Coventry, Rhode Island 02816
8.72 mile
Tel: (401) 828-5335
Appointment Required: Yes
186 Providence St, West Warwick, Rhode Island 02893
9.51 mile
Tel: (401) 615-2800
Tel: (401) 615-2805
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 Rhode Island. 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Rhode Island STD Data
In Rhode Island, syphilis and gonorrhea rates have skyrocketed over the last ten years, as per the 2018 STD Surveillance Report from the RI State Department of Health. As per the report, both diseases are up by a staggering 400% since 2009. However, the government believes that this spike could be attributed to improvement in testing services, and since the Affordable Care Act, more people have access to health care. So, the state's uninsured rate has been cut by at least one-third as from 4% it rose to 12% by 2018.
In 2018-19, the biggest rise was noted in infectious syphilis cases, with a 391% increase. In 2018 nearly 167 cases of infectious syphilis were reported statewide compared to 34 in 2009, while gonorrhea cases increased from 359 in 2009 to 1,336 in 2018, marking a 359% increase since 2010.
In RI, there were over 5,480 cases reported in 2018 compared to 3,615 in 2009, revealing a 52% increase overall in the number of cases. Moreover, the number of cases increased slightly from 2017 as over 5,280 cases were reported that year.
In 2016, around 4,936 chlamydia cases were diagnosed in RI, marking a whopping 55% increase compared to 2007 rates, while the same year gonorrhea was diagnosed in 716 individuals, which is way up from the 402 diagnoses made in 2007. In contrast, syphilis infection was detected in 153 individuals, while in 2007, only 46 cases were reported.
In 2019, RI observed a 33% increase in syphilis cases and a 23% increase in gonorrhea cases. According to the state Department of Health, this spike is caused by numerous factors such as decreased condom usage, online dating websites' popularity, risky sexual habits, etc. Reportedly, 25% of all new diagnoses were made in sexually active adolescent females.
According to the State Health Profile by the CDC in 2016, an estimated number of 64 adults and adolescents were newly diagnosed with HIV. Considering the numbers of HIV, CDC has ranked Rhode Island as 41st among the 50 U.S. states. According to another report by AIDS Vu, the total number of people living with HIV in Rhode Island in 2018 was 2597. There was also a slightly upward trend observed in the number of newly diagnosed HIV cases as the number climbed from 64 in 2015 to 75 in 2018.
According to the latest data, over 3000 adults and adolescents in Rhode Island live with HIV. The numbers have slightly climbed up as previously according to the report from AIDSVu in 2018; there were a total of 2597 people living with HIV. In 2015, 64 individuals were newly diagnosed with HIV, while in 2018, the number of newly diagnosed HIV patients reached 75.
The state’s HIV surveillance data, 2019 indicates that the numbers of newly diagnosed cases have considerably reduced during the last decade; however there was a slight increase between 2015 to 2018. In 2019 the numbers of newly diagnosed HIV patients followed a similar pattern as 2018. By the start end of 2018 the numbers of new diagnosis in residents of Rhode Island had slowly climbed to 2674. 91% of the HIV/AIDS cases were reported in individuals of ages 30 to 50 years while most of the HIV diagnosis is make residents of Rhode Island.
As per the statistics in Rhode Island HIV, STDs, Viral Hepatitis, and Tuberculosis Surveillance Report 2019, there has been a dramatic 244% increase in syphilis cases since 2010. From 61 cases, it increased to 210 in 2019. Gay, bisexual, and males who have sex with males (GBMSM) are disproportionally impacted by infectious syphilis in RI, and the health disparity has increased tremendously since 2010.
In 2019, there were nearly seven times more syphilis diagnoses made in the GBMSM community than heterosexual males/females. Between 2015 and 2019, the 20-30 age group reportedly recorded the highest rate of syphilis infection in RI. But, in the past five years, there haven't been any cases of congenital syphilis at all.
Furthermore, 47% of cases were diagnosed among people aged 30-39, and 32% of all cases were reported among people aged 20-29. African-American residents were at three times more risk of contracting syphilis than whites.
In RI, gonorrhea rates have increased by 421% since 2010, which could be partially due to an increment in extragenital testing (rectum and throat testing) across the state. It is identified that gonorrhea infection rate is higher in males than in females, maybe because there is an alarming increase in infection rates in the GBMSM population and that males experience more severe and easily detectable symptoms. In contrast, most females remain unaware of their health status until tested during their prenatal visits.
Between 2010 and 2019, gonorrhea cases were consistently higher in the 20-29 age group, and the 30-39 age group was the second most impacted population segment. African-American males were seven times more likely to be diagnosed with gonorrheal infection than whites.
Similarly, between 2010 and 2019, there has been a 64% increase in chlamydia cases. Most of these cases have been diagnosed in females than males, probably due to a lack of chlamydia symptoms among males. People aged between 20 and 29 were the most at-risk population in RI, and females are twice as likely to be diagnosed than males. From 2015-2019, the greatest number of chlamydia cases were reported in 20-year-olds, followed by 19-year-olds and younger. The fourth highest group was people in their early 30s.
AIDSVu reports that during the year 2018, there were a total of 2597 people living with HIV in Rhode Island. The rate of people living with HIV in the state per 100,000 populations was 284. 73.1% of the total population was males, while 26.9% were females.
Considering the race and ethnicities, the prevalence of the virus was higher in White Americans. White Americans made up 43.9% of the HIV population, while 28.2% were Hispanic or Latino. 23 % of the people living with HIV in Rhode Island were African or Black Americans.
According to the same report, 38.9% of the people living with HIV belonged to the age group 44 to 55 years and above. 30.8% were aged between 45 to 54 years, while 16.8% percent were between the ages 35 to 44. Around 13% of the people living with HIV were young adults and adolescents aged 13 to 34 years. According to HIV surveillance data, 2019 there was a 50% increase in HIV cases of individual’s aged between 20 to 39.
The total number of deaths reported due to HIV/AIDS during 2018 was 40. The rate of HIV-related mortalities per 100,000 population was 4. 70% of the HIV-related deaths were reported in males while 30% were reported in female residents of Rhode Island.
Furthermore, in male population the HIV rates were relatively higher because male to male sexual contact was responsible for 64.1% of the spread whereas 14.3% cases were reported due to contaminated injection use. Heterosexual contact in the male category was responsible for 12.8% of the spread. In females, the most popular transmission mode of the virus was heterosexual contact, which accounted for 67% of the spread. 29% of the transmission of the virus in females were reported due to injection or drug use.
The most significant initiative undertaken by the RI state government is the Sexually Transmitted Disease Program (STDP). Its mission is to control the transmission of STDs from person to person. The team behind STDP is responsible for monitoring the ongoing trends in reportable infectious diseases. This is done by identifying new diagnoses, determine the high-risk population group, and provide access to testing/screening and treatment options to the underprivileged segments of society.
It also manages cases by locating individuals exposed to STDs and referring them and their partners to screening facilities. Furthermore, STDP is responsible for controlling disease outbreaks by developing public health responses to STDs outbreaks.
Apart from the active federal initiatives like the Ryan White Part B that provides funding to various organizations working towards eliminating the disparities and improving the living conditions of individuals with HIV, Rhode Island has some state-level organizations working for the exact cause.
Life Span is one such organization that provides HIV-related testing and care services to the residents of Rhode Island. Life Span Center is currently providing care to 1500 patients with HIV. More services of this center include comprehensive case management, linkages to the medical insurance providers to help the uninsured or the underinsured. More than 70 percent of people living with HIV in the state are connected with the center's primary medical care.
AIDS project is yet another initiative that provides services like testing for HIV prevention and the necessary education to the general public about the infection. A part of this project provides free condoms and PrEP and emergency treatment and financial assistance programs. This project also assists individuals living with HIV in finding decent housing options and provides legal services and referrals if needed.
AIDS Care Ocean State, in collaboration with the Ryan White Part B, uses the funding for HIV/AIDS for providing treatment, comprehensive case management, housing, and other support services like medical insurance to HIV-positive patients. The main goal of this initiative is to provide HIV care services to everyone regardless of their ability to pay for it or not.
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!
