Talking about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) makes most people uncomfortable. But, the fact cannot be denied that millions of US citizens get diagnosed with common STDs like chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV annually. Moreover, the CDC reported that young adults are particularly vulnerable to contracting STDs because they are hesitant to undergo testing. This is why 15 to 24-year-old Americans accounted for 50% of all new STD diagnoses in 2020. Please make STD testing mandatory at every annual health checkup. Learn more about STD testing in Salinas, California.
Board Approved
Medically reviewed by one or more members of the editorial boardExplore Nearby Options
According to data from the past ten years, there has been a 123% rise in reported gonorrhea cases in Monterey County, a 56% in syphilis, and 16% in chlamydia cases. But chlamydia has remained the top most reported STD in the county as it accounts for around half of all reported diagnoses. For every early-stage syphilis-infected female in Monterey County in 2017, there were five infected females in 2018. It is alarming that Monterey County's chlamydia case count is close to the state's average, and gonorrhea and syphilis rates are half the state's average. Still, testing is imperative for everyone who's sexually active in Salinas, California.
1326 Natividad Rd. Suite A, Salinas, California 93906
0.76 mile
Tel: 8317720105
Today's best offer is: $10 off any order. Discount will be applied automatically.
1441 Contitution Blvd, Bldg 400 Ste 300, Salinas, California 93906
0.22 mile
Tel: (831) 769-8640
Appointment Required: Yes
1441 Constitution Blvd, Bldg 760, Salinas, California 93906
0.63 mile
Tel: (831) 796-1770
Appointment Required: No
950 Circle Dr, Salinas, California 93905
0.68 mile
Tel: (831) 757-6237
Tel: (831) 757-8458
Appointment Required: Yes
219 N Sanborn Rd, Salinas, California 93905
0.82 mile
Tel: (831) 757-1365
Tel: (831) 757-2824
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 Salinas, California. 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.
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.
Standard STD testing can detect common sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes, and hepatitis B and C. Additional tests may be required for less common STDs or specific situations.
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.
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.
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!
