Texas is experiencing a major spike in the number of reported cases of sexually transmitted diseases. San Antonio is currently among the top 100 STD epicenters in the US with 358 new cases of HIV, 12,986 chlamydia infections, 4,496 cases of gonorrhea, and 314 reported cases of syphilis in 2017.
The factors that contributed to this outbreak are the unavailability of regular STD screening as well as the fact that people with medical insurance tend to go to the doctor only when the infection reaches critical stages. In order to combat the STD epidemic, we need to make regular STD testing a part of our routine and deal with potential infections early on while they can still be treated with simple antibiotics.
This comprehensive guide will familiarize you with all STD testing options in San Antonio, weigh their pros and cons, and allow you to make a fully informed choice based on your personal needs and financial situation.
STD Testing Options In San Antonio
When it comes to different screening options in San Antonio, you can choose between at-home STD testing, online STD testing with clinics, screening at clinics, and free STD testing.
At-home or direct-to-customer STD testing in San Antonio has the most benefits compared to all other options. First of all, you barely have to leave your home in order to obtain a reliable report regarding the current state of your sexual health. Once your order is received, the company will dispatch a personal testing kit at your address and allow you to collect relevant samples from the privacy of your home. After the required specimens are collected and secured, you should simply mail them back for further processing using the provided pre-paid mailer. The report is usually generated within a day or two and uploaded to your personal dashboard on the official website. Apart from sheer speed and convenience, this is also the most anonymous STD testing option out there. Your personal kit will arrive in an unmarked package, the payment slip will only list the name of the company, and your results will only be available on your password-protected account. If you test positive, you can also schedule doctor consultations and receive adequate therapy as soon as possible.
Online STD testing providers with clinics basically follow the same set of procedural steps with one big exception – the sample collection is performed in a partnered physical draw center or clinic in your area. Major STD testing companies have thousands of partnered clinics so you do not have to worry about any long trips to provide your sample. Apart from this, the rest of the protocol is pretty much the same. Your results will be available online in a couple of days, everything is perfectly anonymous, and you can also receive adequate education and treatment if you test positive.
Private and state clinics usually require appointments and the whole procedure is anything but anonymous. In order to provide relevant samples, you have to wait your turn in crowded waiting rooms and answer unpleasant sexual questions asked by a complete stranger. The final report also takes longer to generate due to overcrowded processing labs. Apart from the price of the test itself, you also have to think about additional doctor’s fees and copays. Finally, if you test positive, your doctor is obligated to report your STD status, which makes it a part of your permanent medical record.
Lastly, some clinics and organizations do offer free STD testing in San Antonio, but this option usually comes with certain conditions. First, there is a monetary sliding scale implemented by these providers, which means you can only receive free screening if you are earning next to nothing. Furthermore, some of these clinics require visible STD symptoms in order to provide free testing. This is an especially dangerous option since over 80% of all STDs 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 San Antonio
- 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 San Antonio include:
Clinical Pathology Labs
343 W. Houston Ste 206, San Antonio, TX 78205
(Mon-Fri 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM; Sat 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM);
730 N Main Ste 207, San Antonio, TX 78205
(Mon-Fri 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM);
7127 Somerset Rd Ste 102, San Antonio, TX 78211
(Mon-Fri 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM)
Labcorp
1303 Mccullough Ave Ste 429, San Antonio, TX 78212
(Mon-Fri 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM);
7390 Barlite Blvd Ste 135, San Antonio, TX 78224
(Mon-Fri 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM);
1200 Brooklyn Ave Ste 165, San Antonio, TX 78212
(Mon-Fri 8:00 AM – 3:45 PM)
Quest Diagnostics
1303 Mccullough Ave, Ste 338, San Antonio, TX 78212
(Mon-Fri 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Sat 7:30 AM – 11:30 PM);
8538 Ih-35 South, inside a Wa-Mart, San Antonio, TX 78211
(Mon-Fri 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM);
6100 Bandera Road, Suite 400, San Antonio, TX 78238
(8:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
STDCheck features a convenient Find-a-Lab tool on the official website that allows you to find the nearest draw center simply by entering your zip code.
STD Testing At Clinics
Here are some of the private and state STD clinics available in the San Antonio area:
STD/HIV Clinic
512 E Highland Blvd, San Antonio, TX 78210, United States
(Mon-Tue-Thu 7:45 AM – 4:30 PM; Wed 7:45 AM – 7:30 PM; Fri 7:45 AM – 12:00 PM);
+1 210-207-8830
Impact Urgent Care
16755 Huebner Rd, San Antonio, TX 78248, United States
(Mon-Fri 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Sat-Sun 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM);
+1 210-493-4357
Project: H.O.T
722 Isom Rd, San Antonio, TX 78216, United States
(Mon-Wed 9:00 Am – 8:00 PM; Fri 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM);
+1 210-393-2019
Alamo Area Resource Center
303 N Frio St, San Antonio, TX 78207, United States
(Mon-Fri 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM);
+1 210-625-7200
UTSA Student Health Services
1 UTSA Blvd, San Antonio, TX 78249, United States
(Mon-Fri 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM);
+1 210-458-4142
CommuniCare Health Centers
West Campus – 1102 Barclay St, San Antonio, TX 78207, United States
(Mon-Fri 8:00 Am – 7:00 PM);
+1 210-233-7000
CentroMed Santa Rosa Pavilion Clinic
315 N San Saba #103, San Antonio, TX 78207, United States
(Mon-Fri 8:00 Am – 5:00 PM; Wed 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM);
+1 210-922-7000
San Antonio AIDS Foundation
818 E Grayson St, San Antonio, TX 78208, United States
(Mon-Fri 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Sat 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM);
+1 210-225-4715
Free STD Testing
Some of the potentially free STD testing locations in San Antonio include:
Any Woman Can
109 Gallery Cir #115, San Antonio, TX 78258, United States
(Mon-Wed 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Thu 9:00 Am – 8:00 PM; Fri 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM);
+1 210-370-3939
San Antonio AIDS Foundation
818 E Grayson St, San Antonio, TX 78208, United States
(Mon-Wed-Thu 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM; Tue 8:30 AM – 8:00 PM; Fri 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM; Sat 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM);
+1 210-225-4715
BEAT AIDS
208 W Euclid Ave, San Antonio, TX 78212, United States
(Mon 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM; Tue-Fri 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM);
+1 210-212-22616
Planned Parenthood has 6 offices in San Antonio:
920 San Pedro Ave, San Antonio, TX 78212, United States;
+1 210-736-2475
2140 Babcock Rd, San Antonio, TX 78229, United States;
+1 210-736-2262
2346 E Southcross, San Antonio, TX 78223, United States;
+1 210-333-5454
11514 Perrin Beitel Rd, San Antonio, TX 78217, United States;
+1 210-590-0202
2140 Babcock Rd Suite 201, San Antonio, TX 78229, United States;
+1 210-736-2244
8725 Marbach Rd Suite 215, San Antonio, TX 78227, United States;
+1 210-674-2222