Atlanta is the most populous city in the state of Georgia and one of the STD capitals of the US. According to the CDC, Atlanta was about to hit epidemic levels of sexually transmitted infections in 2018.
Apart from a huge rise in chlamydia and gonorrhea, the Peach State is also currently number 5 on the list of states with the highest syphilis rates. In 2017, the CDC recorded 65,104 cases of chlamydia and 22,667 cases of gonorrhea. Note that a large number of infections still go unreported.
Even though these infections can easily be cured with antibiotics, most of them remain undetected and untreated. Regular testing and timely therapy do not only prevent serious complications but can also put a stop to the growing STD epidemic in Atlanta.
STD Testing Options In Atlanta
After making a decision to monitor your sexual health more closely and deal with potential STIs early on, you should pick the screening option that fits your personal needs and preferences. When it comes to STD testing in Atlanta, you have four options at your disposal: at-home STD testing, online STD testing with clinics, STD testing at clinics, and free/low-cost STD testing.
At-home STD testing providers in Atlanta allow you to collect relevant samples in the privacy of your home and mail them back to the processing lab using the provided pre-paid mailer. In other words, you can forget about waiting in lines and discussing your sexual life with unknown doctors. After receiving your at-home testing kit, the companies usually generate reports within 1 or 2 business days and deliver them online. The aforementioned testing kit is delivered to your home address in unmarked packaging, so nobody will ever know what is inside except for you.
Online STD testing with clinics follows a similar model, except when it comes to the sample collection process. These companies place numerous physical draw centers at your disposal and you can visit them without any appointments. Most of them have convenient tools on their official websites that allow you to find a clinic in your area or state. Apart from this, everything is pretty much the same; you get your results online in just a couple of days and if you test positive, you gain access to doctor consultations and adequate therapy.
Private and state STD clinics in Atlanta are also an option, but you have to make an appointment well in advance and deal with overcrowded waiting rooms. The turnaround times are usually slower due to huge processing backlogs and you almost never receive your results online, which means you have to make an additional trip to the clinic. When it comes to expenses, you have to account for doctor’s fees and copays in case you test positive. Finally, your sexually transmitted disease becomes a part of your permanent medical record, which is not the case if you test with at-home and online providers with clinics.
Lastly, there are some free STD testing options in Atlanta, but they usually implement a sliding pricing scale, which means you cannot get free screening unless you basically have no income. Additionally, these centers usually require presented symptoms associated with the most common STDs. This is quite problematic as well since 80% of all sexually transmitted diseases remain asymptomatic.
| Austin, TX | At-Home STD Testing | Online STD Testing With Clinic | STD Testing At Clinics | Free STD Testing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | $80+ individual tests, $100+ STD panels | $24+ individual tests, $100+ STD panels | Single tests: $10-$30 w/ insurance; $50-$200 w/o insurance, STD panels: $300-$400 | Free, but you have to qualify |
| Insurance Accepted | N/A | |||
| Sample Collection | Your home | Partnered draw centers | Clinic | Facilities of the testing provider |
| STD Panels Available | ||||
| Appointments | ||||
| Same-Day Testing | Free clinics operate on a first-come, first-served basis, so maybe | |||
| Anonymous Testing | ||||
| Testing Accuracy | 99.99% | 99.99% | 99.99% | 99.99% |
| Turnaround Time | 1-5 days | 1-3 days | Up to 2 weeks | Depends on the number of samples in the lab |
| Online results | Rarely | |||
| Free Private Consultations | ||||
| Free Presciptions |
At-Home STD Testing
MyLab Box is a premium online service that allows its users to test potential exposure to STDs without ever leaving their homes. The company features a wide array of reliable FDA-approved single kits and convenient panels and delivers results with 99.99% accuracy in just 1-5 business days. The testing process is 100% discreet and helps you avoid awkward sessions with your doctor, sitting in crowded waiting rooms, and talking about your sex life with strangers.
- True at-home STD testing in Atlanta
- Testing kits made in the US
- CLIA-certified labs in all 50 states
- Free shipping
- Free doctor consultations and prescriptions
- Partnership with more than 1,000 pharmacies nationwide
Online STD Testing With Clinic
STDCheck is one of the best STD testing providers on the market with more than 4,500 testing centers nationwide. Unlike regular clinics, it allows you to place your order online, pick the closest draw center, and provide the relevant sample in just 5 minutes without ever waiting in lines, talking about your symptoms or explaining why you suspect potential exposure to STDs.
- 100% confidential testing
- FDA-approved testing solutions/CLIA-certified labs
- Same-day STD testing/results in 1-2 business days
- Individual tests + panels
- Numerous payment options
- STD Test Recommender
- Free doctor consultations + sessions with care advisors
Some of the STDCheck testing locations in Atlanta include:
Quest Diagnostics
550 Peachtree Street Ne, Suite 1050, Atlanta, GA 30308
(Mon-Fri 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM);
550 Peachtree St Ne Ste 1775, Atlanta, GA 30308
(Mon-Fri 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM);
285 Boulevard Ne, Ste. 215, Atlanta, GA 30312
(Mon-Fri 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM);
5673 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd NE, Ste. 125, Atlanta, GA 30342
(Mon-Fri 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
Labcorp
550 Peachtree St Ne, Ste 1460, Atlanta, GA 30308
(Mon-Fri 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM);
2712 N Decatur Rd, Decatur, GA 30033
(Mon-Fri 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM);
975 Johnson Ferry Rd Ne #320, Atlanta, GA 30342
(Mon-Fri 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
There are 25 STD testing locations in Atlanta and you can find them all using the convenient Find-a-Lab tool on the company’s official website.
STD Testing At Clinics
When it comes to private and state STD testing clinics in Atlanta, some of the available options include:
Cliff Valley Clinic at the Feminist Women’s Health Center
1924 Cliff Valley Way NE, Atlanta, GA 30329, United States
(Mon-Fri 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM; Sat 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM)
AHF Healthcare Center AID Atlanta
1605 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, United States
(Mon-Fri 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Wed 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM)
American Family Carew Buckhead
1800 Howell Mill Rd NW #130, Atlanta, GA 30318, United States
(Mon-Sun 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM)
Empowerment Resource Center
230 W Peachtree St NW #1800, Atlanta, GA 30303, United States
(Mon-Fri 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM)
AHF Healthcare Center; Atlanta Midtown
735 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308, United States
(Mon-Fri 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM and 2:00 AM – 6:00 PM)
Mercy Care
424 Decatur St SE, Atlanta, GA 30312, United States
(Mon-Fri 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
Adamsville Regional Health Center
3700 M.L.K. Jr Dr SW, Atlanta, GA 30331, United States
(Mon-Fri 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM)
The Center for Black Women’s Wellness
477 Windsor St SW, Atlanta, GA 30312, United States
(Mon-Fri 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
Free STD Testing
Unfortunately, there are not many free STD testing options in Atlanta. You can get free HIV screening at the AHF Healthcare Center and there is also a Planned Parenthood office located at
440 Moreland Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30316
(Mon-Wed-Fri 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM; Tue-Thu 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM).
Out of the Closet, Atlanta is NOT an STD clinic, even though numerous websites present it as such. It is just a thrift store that gives its profits to the AIDS Healthcare Foundation.