Jacksonville is the most populated city in Florida and the administrative center of Duval County. According to the latest reports released in 2017, there were 7,258 individuals living with HIV in Jacksonville and the numbers for syphilis increased by 130% compared to the previous three years. This put the local syphilis rate at an all-time high in the past two decades, which is especially dangerous since pregnant women can pass it down to their unborn babies. Gonorrhea and chlamydia rates are also on the rise.
With that in mind, we cannot simply rely on education and prevention anymore; early detection and therapy are essential in combating the existing cases of the most common STDs in Jacksonville. This includes regular checks and testing after each potential exposure.
STD Testing Options In Jacksonville
When it comes to STD testing options, citizens of Jacksonville can opt for at-home STD testing, online STD testing services with clinics, STD testing at clinics, and free/low-cost STD testing.
At-home STD testing services send a personal kit to the specified address the moment your online order is received. This allows you to collect the relevant samples in the privacy of your home instead of visiting any physical draw centers. This eliminates appointments, crowded waiting rooms, and discussing your sexual life with strangers. The results are available online 1-5 days after you mail the sample back to the processing lab.
Online testing services with clinics pretty much follow the same procedure, but the sample collection process is done in partnered physical centers. This is the only difference compared to at-home testing options. Premium companies usually have thousands of partnered draw centers nationwide, which means you will always be able to find one nearby. The sample collection takes around 15 minutes, there is no need for appointments, and you can remain 100% anonymous if you so choose. The average turnaround time is also between 1 and 5 business days, depending on your chosen test(s).
Private and state clinics usually require an appointment (sometimes months in advance) and do not have numerous processing labs, which translates to longer turnaround times. Apart from the price of the test itself, you also have to pay doctor’s fees and additional copays for potential prescriptions. Finally, STD testing performed at a clinic enters your permanent health record.
Some clinics do offer free or low-cost STD testing in Jacksonville, but they usually implement a qualification process based on your visible symptoms, total income or some other relevant factors. Clinics like Planned Parenthood have sliding scales that move the testing price around depending on the said factors. In other words, you will not get free STD testing unless you are earning next to nothing or already exhibiting serious symptoms associated with the most common STIs.
| 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 |
With that out of the way, let us take a look at the available STD testing services in Jacksonville:
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 Jacksonville
- 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 testing clinics partnered with STDCheck in downtown Jacksonville include:
Clinical Pathology Laboratories Southeast
12276 San Jose Blvd Suite 704, Jacksonville, FL 32223
(Mon-Fri 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM)
Labcorp
2545 Riverside Ave Ste 3, Jacksonville, FL 32204
(Mon-Fri 6:00 AM – 3:00 PM);
5960 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, FL
(Mon-Fri 6:30 AM – 2:30 PM; lunch between 12:00 PM – 2:30 PM);
2511 St Johns Bluff Rd S #104, Jacksonville, FL 32246
(Mon-Fri 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM)
Quest Diagnostics
5960 Beach Blvd Unit #4, Jacksonville, FL 32207
(Mon-Fri 6:00 AM – 3:00 PM; Sat 7:00 AM – 12:00 PM);
4509-009 St. Johns Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32210
(Mon-Fri 6:00 AM – 3:00 PM; lunch between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM; Sat 7:00 AM – 12:00 PM);
9890 Hutchinson Park Dr Inside Hutchinson Park Drive Walmart Store, Jacksonville, FL 32225
(Mon-Sat 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM; Sun 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
You can also use the Find-a-Lab tool on STDCheck’s official website and locate the closest laboratories simply by entering your zip code.
STD Testing At Clinics
Private and state STD testing clinics in Jacksonville, FL, include:
Safe Lab STD Testing Centers
9890 Hutchinson Park Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32225 (+1 866-623-6727)
AHF Wellness Center
Jacksonville – 2 Shircliff Ste 900, Jacksonville, FL 32204
(Wed 4:00 PM – 7:30 PM; Sat 10:00 AM – 1:30 PM)
All About Aids
803 Wood Hill Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32256 (+1 904-646-0980)
Jacksonville Center for Sexual Health
12443 San Jose Blvd #202, Jacksonville, FL 32223 (+1 904-383-7613)
American Family Care Jacksonville
13457 Atlantic Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32225
(Mon-Sun 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM)
Duval Country Health Department
Boulevard Com – 515 W 6th St, Jacksonville, FL 32206
(Mon-Fri 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
APEL Health Services Center
728 Blanche St #213, Jacksonville, FL 32204
(Mon-Fri 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM)
AHD Health Center
Jacksonville – DePaul Building, 2 Shircliff Way Ste 900, Jacksonville, FL 32204
(Mon-Fri 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
Free STD Testing
If your insurance does not cover STD testing and you cannot afford to pay for it out of pocket, here are some of the available options in Jacksonville:
Mass Free Clinic
2251 St Johns Bluff Rd S, Jacksonville, FL 32246
(Mon-Wed closed; Tue-Thu 9:00 AM – 1:30 PM; Fri 2:30 PM – 5 PM; Sat 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM; Sun 12:00 PM – 4:30 PM)
Planned Parenthood
Jacksonville Health Center – 5978 Powers Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32217
(Mon 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM; Tue 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM; Wed 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Thu 8:00 Am – 5:00 PM; Fri 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM)
JASMYN
923 Peninsular PI, Jacksonville, FL 32204
(Mon-Fri 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM)