Tampa is the seat of Hillsborough County and also the largest city in the Tampa Bay area, which makes its current STD-related trends even more alarming.
Namely, the number of bacterial sexually transmitted infections (chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis) has been on the rise since 2010. When it comes to viral infections, the number of reported cases of HIV in 2017 was 570, which represents a small increase compared to previous years.
In order to put a stop to the growing rates of newly reported STD cases in Tampa, it is necessary for its residents to regularly check their STD status and get therapy as soon as they test positive.
This comprehensive guide will outline all the different STD testing options in Tampa, Florida and familiarize you with their advantages and shortcomings, helping you decide which option to choose.
STD Testing Options In Tampa
When it comes to different STD testing providers in Tampa, Florida, you can choose between at-home STD testing, online testing providers with clinics, STD testing at clinics, and free STD screening.
At-home or direct-to-customer STD testing is the most private and convenient option by far. After receiving your order, your chosen provider will dispatch a personal testing kit to the specified address. Once the kit arrives, you will be able to collect relevant samples in the privacy of your home. After securing the sample(s) in the container, all there is left to do is mail it back to the processing lab using the provided prepaid mailer. Your report will be generated in just a day or two and uploaded online to your personal profile. Apart from complete privacy and anonymity, these companies allow you to avoid making appointments, waiting in clinics or answering any questions about your sex life.
Online testing providers with clinics follow a similar protocol with one crucial difference – the sample collection is performed in a physical draw center rather than your home. The best providers partner with thousands of modern clinics all over the country, so you will easily locate one in your area or city. There are no mandatory appointments, nobody will ever know why you came to the clinic, and the whole procedure takes less than 15 minutes. Apart from the sample collection, the rest of the process is the same as with at-home testing providers.
If you choose to go with state or private clinics, you will have to make an appointment in advance and wait for your turn in a waiting room. You will also have to account for additional expenses like doctor’s fees and copays for medications. The average turnaround times are generally longer since private and state clinics usually have only one processing lab packed with samples ready for testing. Since the results are not available online, you will have to make a second trip to the clinic to pick them up. Lastly, if you test positive, your STD status will be reported and made a permanent part of your medical record.
Some clinics do offer free STD testing in Tampa, Florida but only to people with low income and visible symptoms, which is definitely not a good practice since 80% of all STDs remain asymptomatic until they reach more precarious stages.
| 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 Tampa
- 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 Tampa include:
Quest Diagnostics
2919 W Swann Ave Ste 403, Tampa, FL 33609
(Mon-Fri 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM);
3440 W Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd. Ste. 201, Tampa, FL 33607
(Mon-Fri 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM);
3450 E. Fletcher Avenue, Suite 250, Tampa, FL 33612
(Mon-Fri 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM)
LabCorp
5610 W La Salle St, Tampa, FL 33607
(Mon-Fri 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM);
2727 W Dr Mlk Blvd Ste 200, Tampa, FL 33607
(Mon-Fri 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM);
11916 Sheldon Rd Ste C, Tampa, FL 33626
(Mon-Fri 6:30 AM – 3:00 PM)
There are many more STDCheck locations in Tampa, Florida and you can discover them all simply by entering your zip code in the handy Find-a-Lab tool provided on the official website.
STD Testing At Clinics
Some of the STD testing clinics in Tampa, Florida include:
Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County
1105 E Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, FL 33602, United States;
+1 813-307-8000
St Joseph’s Tampa Care Clinic
4600 Habana Way # 15, Tampa, FL 33614, United States;
+1 813-870-4460
South Tampa Immediate Care
602 S Howard Ave, Tampa, FL 33606, United States;
+1 813-253-2113
Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County
3601 N 22nd St #2, Tampa, FL 33613, United States;
+1 813-307-8000
Docare Clinic
3317 W Gandy Blvd, Tampa, FL 33611, United States;
+1 813-878-2222
A Woman’s Place Medical Clinic
6301 Memorial Hwy Suite 204, Tampa, FL 33615, United States;
+1 813-932-4404
Tampa Family Health Centers
4620 N 22nd St, Tampa, FL 33610, United States;
+1 813-397-5300
Private Sexual Health Testing Centre
110 S MacDill Ave, Tampa, FL 33609, United States;
+1 813-519-3954
University of South Florida Student Health Services
4107 USF Cedar Cir, Tampa, FL 33620, United States;
+1 813-974-2331
Free STD Testing
Here are some of the clinics that offer free STD testing in Tampa, Florida:
Ybor Youth Clinic
1315 E 7th Ave #104, Tampa, FL 33605, United States;
+1 813-396-9021
Tampa Family Health Centers (University Area)
2103 N Rome Ave, Tampa, FL 33607;
813-397-5300
CVS MinuteClinic
611 S Howard Ave, Tampa, FL 33606;
866-389-2727
Tampa also features two Planned Parenthood offices:
Planned Parenthood, Tampa Health Center
8068 N 56th St, Tampa, FL 33617, United States;
+1 813-980-3555
Planned Parenthood, North Tampa Health Center
236 E Bearss Ave, Tampa, FL 33613, United States;
+1 813-443-9694