Although lauded as the best place to live in the United States by U.S. News & World Report and championed by Forbes in 2016 as the #1 on its “Cities of the Future” list, the “Live Music Capital of the World” does have its problems with persistent outbreaks of the most common STDs. Its STD count per 100,000 people is 632,9 for chlamydia, 214 for gonorrhea, and 17,5 for primary and secondary syphilis. In 2017, 6,063 people in Austin were living with HIV.
Except for chlamydia, these numbers are not overly alarming, but the constant influx of newly reported cases over the years definitely is. Even though prevention does play its part in controlling sexually transmitted infections, early detection and therapy are much more important. Since around 80% of all STDs remain asymptomatic, it is essential to perform regular checks and prevent diseases from entering precarious stages.
STD Testing Options In Austin
When it comes to STD testing options in Austin, you can choose from at-home testing, online testing with clinic, testing at private and public clinics, and free testing.
At-home testing options and online providers with partnered draw centers are the logical next step in the evolution of healthcare. These services allow you to keep track of your sexual health without scheduling any appointments or sitting for hours in crowded waiting rooms. Furthermore, there are no additional costs like doctor’s fees or additional copays for prescriptions so you can budget your screening more efficiently. The testing is performed by reputable professionals and you usually get your results within 1-5 days since you can skip overcrowded laboratories that can take months to process your samples.
One crucial difference between at-home testing services and online providers with clinics lies in the way they obtain your biological sample. The former will send a personal testing kit to the specified address and allow you to collect relevant samples in the privacy of your home. The latter option relies on partnered testing centers, which means you can order your test online but still have to visit a brick & mortar clinic to provide the necessary samples. However, the whole procedure usually takes just 15 minutes, you do not have to wait in lines, and your identity is still protected.
Private or state STD clinics in Austin usually require an appointment (up to 2 months in advance) and process your sample in overcrowded labs, which translates to slower results. They also charge additional doctor’s fees and copays for prescriptions and the results become a part of your permanent medical record. There is no way to remain anonymous, especially if you are diagnosed with HIV or other incurable infections. Finally, clinics rarely deliver results online, which means you have to make an additional trip to the premise in order to inspect your report.
When it comes to free STD testing in Austin, clinics that offer this service usually have a qualification process based on your visible symptoms, total income or some other factor. Furthermore, some of them will not even offer free testing unless you exhibit certain symptoms associated with common STDs. This puts you in danger of allowing the infection to reach advanced stages where simple treatment with antibiotics is out of reach.
Here is a comparative analysis of STD testing options in Austin:
| 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 |
Let us now take a closer look at our top choices:
At-Home STD Tests
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 Austin
- 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 Tests 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 available STDCheck testing locations in downtown Austin include:
Clinical Pathology Labs
2911 Medical Arts Sq. Ste 4, Austin, TX 78705
(working hours: Mon-Fri 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Sat 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM);
631 W. 38th Street, Austin, TX 78705
(working hours: Mon-Fri 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM);
1111 W 34th St Ste 100, Austin, TX 78705
(Working hours: Mon-Fri 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
Labcorp
711 W 38th St Suite B-2, Austin, TX 78705
(working hours: Mon-Fri 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM; Sat 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM)
Quest Diagnostics
3708 Jefferson Street, Suite B, Austin, TX 78731
(working hours: Mon-Thu 6:30 AM – 5:00 PM; Fri 6:30 AM – 3:00 PM; Sat 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
Away from downtown Austin, you can choose from the following STD testing centers:
Clinical Pathology Labs
4112 Links Lane Ste 100, Round Rock, TX 78664
(working hours: Mon-Fri 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM);
2500 S. Lakeline Blvd Ste 203, Cedar Park, TX 78613
(working hours: Mon-Fri 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
Quest Diagnostics
2051 Gattis School Rd Randalls Store, Round Rock, TX 78664
(working hours: Mon-Fri 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM (lunch between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM); Sat 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM);
9911 Brodie Lane, Austin, TX 78704
(working hours: Mon-Fri 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM (lunch between 12:30 PM and 1:30 PM))
Labcorp
11111 Research Blvd Suite 340, Austin, TX 78759
(working hours: Mon-Fri 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM (lunch between 12:30 PM and 1:30 PM))
These are not all STD testing locations in Austin partnered with STDCheck. To find all of them, you can simply enter your zip code into the Find-a-Lab tool on the company’s website and you will receive a detailed list of all the available locations in your area.
STD Testing At Clinics
Austin features numerous clinics where you can perform STD testing of any kind:
Sexually Transmitted Diseases Clinic
RBJ Health Center, 1st Floor, 15 Waller St, Austin, TX 78702
(working hours: Mon-Fri 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM)
Aids Services of Austin
7215 Cameron Rd, Austin, TX 78752
(working hours: Mon-Fri 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM)
NextCare Urgent Care
6001 W William Cannon Dr #302, Austin, TX 78749
(working hours: Mon-Fri 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Sat-Sun 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM)
Planned Parenthood
South Austin Health Center – 201 E. Ben White Blvd – Bldg. B Bldg., Austin, TX 78704
(working hours: Mon-Thu-Fri 8:15 AM – 4:30 PM; Tue 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM; Wed 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Sat 8:00 AM – 2:30 PM)
Austin Regional Clinic: ARC Seton Northwest
11111 Research Blvd 475, Austin, TX 78759
(working hours: Mon-Fri 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
Ashwell Clinic
8101 Cameron Rd #105, Austin, TX 78754
(working hours: Mon-Fri 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM)
Planned Parenthood – North Austin Health Center
9041 Research Blvd Suite 250, Austin, TX 78758
(working hours: Mon-Tue-Thu-Fri 8:45 AM – 5:00 PM; Wed 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM; Sat 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM)
Total Men’s Primary Care – Downtown
823 Congress Ave Suite 125, Austin, TX 78701
(working hours: Mon-Wed-Fri 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM; Tue-Thu 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
Planned Parenthood – Downtown Austin Health Center
1823 E 7th St, Austin, TX
(working hours: Mon-Tue-Thu-Fri 8:15 AM – 4:30 PM; Wed 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM)
Free STD Testing
Most insurance policies cover STD testing, but if yours does not and your financial situation does not permit any extra expenses, here are some free and low-cost STD testing options in Austin:
- HIV Prevention & Outreach Program – 15 Waller Street, Austin, TX 78702 (free HIV testing)
- RBJ STD Clinic – 15 Waller Street, Austin, TX 78702 (low-cost HIV/STD testing)
- Integral Care (Community AIDS Resources & Education) – 1165 Airport Blvd, Floor 1, Austin, TX 78702 (free HIV and hep C testing on a first-come, first-served basis)
- Planned Parenthood clinics in Downtown and North Austin ($0-$60 sliding scale)