STD Testing in South Carolina

If you might have been exposed to a sexually transmitted disease (STD), don’t wait to get tested. STDs are on the rise across the country, and because symptoms can be silent or subtle , they easily go untreated. Anyone sexually active should get screened regularly, and there are many free and low-cost clinics for STD tests in South Carolina near you.

The number of STD cases has increased annually during the last six years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In South Carolina, there are more infections than in most other states. Based on the latest CDC STD Surveillance State Ranking report, the state is fourth for chlamydia and gonorrhea, 17th for syphilis, and 22nd for congenital syphilis.

Many STDs are curable. For those that aren’t, treatments are usually available to help manage symptoms and prevent you from passing them on to others. If you’re sexually active, regular testing is the only way to know if you have an STD and get the treatment you need to prevent potentially serious health issues and stop the spread.

There are numerous South Carolina STD testing resources where you can get answers to your questions about STDs and get tested, often for free or at a low cost. The Point Teen Clinics offers free testing, and the Greenville County clinic offers STD and HIV testing along with family planning, immunizations, and WIC care.

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South Carolina STD Testing Directory

To help you locate an accredited laboratory/testing center, a list of resources has been compiled and can be found below.

Consult with your health care provider about any lab testing that you may be considering. It is also important to follow up with your health care provider to discuss your results within the context of your medical history.

STD Trends in South Carolina

South Carolina’s reported STDs are above average, particularly for chlamydia and gonorrhea. Some underlying causes of increased STDs relate to a complex network of social factors. Some of these factors may include economic disparities that prevent access to appropriate health care, substance use, homelessness, and the exchange of sex for money or other resources. Startling trends seen in South Carolina include:

Testing Graph South Carolina

Source: CDC 2020 STD Surveillance Report

STD Screening Recommendations and Risk Factors

If you have sex, you are at risk for getting an STD. According to the CDC, Risk factors for STDs include:

  • Unprotected sex (anal, vaginal, or oral)
  • Sex with multiple partners
  • Anonymous sex partners
  • Sex under the influence of drugs or alcohol
  • Injection of drugs or sharing needles

Should you get tested for STDs? And how often? Talk to your doctor to be sure, but generally follow these CDC recommendations:

STD Testing in South Carolina:

South Carolina Community STD Testing Centers

Community-based STD testing organizations generate awareness and foster social change while providing access to testing and treatment.

If you’re concerned about visiting your regular doctor or can’t afford the cost of private testing, a community testing center may be able to help. While community testing centers may charge a fee for STD testing, it’s common to find free or low-cost testing from these resources:

Frequently Asked Questions About STD Tests in South Carolina

Which STD has the highest number of cases in South Carolina?

Chlamydia and gonorrhea are the most common STDs in South Carolina, at rates of 662.7 and 342.4 cases per 100,000 people in the state. Rates for syphilis and congenital syphilis decreased slightly from 2019 to 2020, with the state’s national ranking falling from 15th to 17th for primary and secondary syphilis and 20th to 22nd for congenital syphilis.

Is STD testing free in South Carolina?

There are free STD clinics in South Carolina, including The Point Teen Clinics.

How much does STD testing cost in South Carolina?

The cost of an STD test will vary by location and test type. Some clinics, usually community or nonprofit clinics, offer free or low-cost testing. Labs, clinics, and at-home testing companies may accept insurance to cover or lower your cost of testing.

Lab testing fees range from $8 to $150. At-home tests cost between $35 and $175 per test.

What is included in a full STD panel?

When getting a full STD panel, expect testing for HIV, herpes, hepatitis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis.

Is STD testing covered by insurance?

Insurance coverage depends on the clinic you visit, but most public and private STD clinics accept insurance. Contact the clinic before your visit to ask about insurance policies.

How long does it take to get STD results?

Some clinics offer rapid results, such as HIV test results, within 30 minutes. Still, other tests may take up to a week to return results, particularly bacterial testing, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis.

STD Resources in South Carolina

Learn more about STDs and the signs and symptoms that you might have contracted an STD. Numerous authoritative resources at the state and national levels provide valuable information about the most common STDs, testing procedures, and prevention.

Sources

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