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.
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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.
559 E. Alisal St. Ste 104, Salinas, California 93905
1.01 mile
Tel: 8317513921
Today's best offer is: $10 off any order. Discount will be applied automatically.
631 E Alvin Dr Ste G1, Salinas, California 93906
1.11 mile
Tel: 8317512280
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
559 E Alisal St, Ste 201, Salinas, California 93905
1.01 mile
Tel: (831) 769-8800
Tel: (831) 422-9312
Appointment Required: Yes
If you are uninsured, you may qualify for a state-funded program or a lower fee scale. Fees for services are based on your household income.
316 N Main St, Salinas, California 93901
1.24 mile
Tel: (831) 758-8261
Tel: (831) 758-3475
Appointment Required: No
Due to COVID-19 in-office appointments and visits are being limited in an effort to support the health and well-being of our clients and staff. Call 831-975-5015 to determine current operating status.
340 Church St, Salinas, California 93901
1.86 mile
Tel: (831) 975-5016
Appointment Required: Yes
2180 N Main, Salinas, California 93906
2.97 mile
Tel: (831) 443-2190
Tel: (831) 442-3600
Appointment Required: Yes
10561 Merritt St, Castroville, California 95012
8.93 mile
Tel: (831) 633-1514
Tel: (831) 633-0311
Appointment Required: Yes
Free condoms available.
1156 Fremont Blvd, Seaside, California 93955
11.41 mile
Tel: (831) 899-8100
Tel: (831) 899-8105
Appointment Required: Yes
625 Hilby Ave, Seaside, California 93955
13.46 mile
Tel: (831) 394-1691
Tel: (831) 394-1870
Appointment Required: No
501 Lighthouse Ave, Monterey, California 93940
15.84 mile
Tel: (831) 649-0770
Appointment Required: No
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.
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.
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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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Help stop the spread of STDs by knowing your status. Get tested today!