Center for American Progress (CAP) estimates that nearly 20 million new cases of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are diagnosed every year in the U.S. Austin, Texas ranks among the top 10 cities having the highest number of STD infected people.
Undiagnosed and untreated STDs can lead to serious health issues. As the symptoms of STDs do not show up in the early stage of infection, we highly recommend every sexually active person to get tested for STD screening at least once a year.
The article below covers all the important topics related to sexually transmitted diseases in Austin, TX like STD Testing such as:
- STD Testing Cost in Austin, TX
- Planned Parenthood STD testing cost
- What are STDs?
- How are STDs Transmitted?
- Oral STD
- What are the most common STDs found in Austin?
- What are the signs and symptoms of STDs?
- How to check for STDs?
- Is there any preparation required before the STD testing?
- Where to get tested for STDs?
- STD treatment
- Is STD curable?
- What are the methods to prevent STDs?
For our readers, who are interested in knowing about how to get STD testing in Austin and STD testing costs in Austin, Texas we would like to begin with that section.
How much does the STD testing cost in Austin, TX?
There are multiple lab options for you to choose from. We have shortlisted the top 3 private testing options for you. The details of the options are given below. One of the providers ever offers the facility of getting tested at home.
STD testing in Austin costs from between $14 and $444 in different labs and facilities across the US. The cost varies due to the selection of the STDs you want to get tested for. If you want to get tested for just one STD, the cost will, of course, be lower. However, if you choose a panel of STDs to ensure that you are covered for many or all of them, then the cost will be higher. In any case, the cost of the STD panel is much lower than the cost of individual testing.
To know more about the individual STD testing cost, std panel test cost, tests included in different STD packages and to view and compare the prices offered by different providers in Austin, check the below table.
Name of our Partner Labs | Book Online |
STD Check Labs
| Starting from
|
LetsGetChecked(Home Test Kit)
| Starting from
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HealthLabs
| Starting from$24 |
STD testing cost in Austin (and the rest of Texas) without insurance
Most of the health insurance companies in Austin do not cover the cost of STD screening tests. But they might cover the cost of the additional diagnostic tests performed. However, the coverage offered by private insurance companies and national health insurance programs like Medicare and Medicaid varies widely. So we recommend you to check the coverage of your plan before getting tested for STDs.
Also, for many of our readers, using the insurance may not be a good option as the reports are shared with the insurance companies then. This does not remain a private STD testing. The insurance companies may later use the report to bump up your insurance premiums.
Our STD testing providers in Austin offer the screening tests for all the STDs and do not accept any kind of health insurance plan. But, on request, they can provide you with an itemized receipt containing all the details like the name and code of the test, and CPT code that is necessary for insurance reimbursement purposes.
Planned Parenthood STD Testing Cost
It is quite difficult to get an estimate of the STD testing cost in Austin through Planned Parenthood. The cost varies by center. So the cost will depend on where you go. The cost also depends on the income level of the person getting tested. It may involve some hassle and in the end, you may end up paying a lot for testing. We recommend the above three providers.
Economical STD Panels and Getting Tested Sitting at Home in Austin
You may also consider getting tested sitting in the comfort of your home. We have identified the most selling STD at-home products of LetsGetChecked and listed them below with some details.
- 2 Panel STD at Home Test ($99) – Get tested for the two most common STDs sitting at home –– Chlamydia, and Gonorrhea. – Click to book
- 5 Panel STD at Home Test ($149) – Get 5 tests sitting at home –– HIV, Syphilis, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Trichomoniasis – Click to book
- 8 Panel STD at Home Test ($249) – HIV, Syphilis, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Trichomoniasis, Mycoplasma Genitalium, Gardnerella, and Ureaplasma – Click to book
STD testing
STD testing involves two steps. First, screening tests are done to check the presence of microorganisms in the body that cause STDs. The screening test results might be positive or negative. If the screening test results are positive, some additional tests will be done to know the exact stage of the infection.
What are STDs and how are they transmitted?
Sexually transmitted diseases are commonly known as STDs in short. Sexually transmitted diseases are infections caused by microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, yeast, and parasites passing from one person to the other through sexual contact. The warm and moist areas are ideal for the growth of these microorganisms and so they mostly affect the genital areas of both men and women. There are more than 20 types of STDs like Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Herpes, Hepatitis, HIV, Trichomoniasis, and HPV that affect both men and women.
Transmission
STDs are generally transmitted during vaginal, oral, or anal sex. They can also spread through blood contact and skin contact with the infected person. Hardly, there are chances of getting some STDs when you come into close contact with moist objects like towels, wet clothes, or toilet seats. A pregnant woman with an STD can easily pass the disease to her child at birth.
Does oral sex lead to STD?
Oral sex is nothing but the stimulation of genitals orally using your mouth or tongue. Unprotected oral sex can lead to oral STD. Oral STDs are more prevalent in the U.S in recent days. Gonorrhea, Syphilis, and Oral Herpes are the most common oral STDs found in Austin. Painful throat, sores, and fever blisters are the common symptoms of oral STDs.
What are the most common STDs found in Austin?
There are a few common STDs reported every year in Austin. They are
1. Chlamydia
Chlamydia remains to be the most common sexually transmitted disease found in Austin every year. It is caused by a bacterium called Chlamydia trachomatis that affects both men and women. This bacterium might infect the eye which is called “Eye Chlamydia”, so do wash the hands after having sex. It can be cured when it is diagnosed at an early stage. When it is left untreated, it can lead to infertility in men and women and cause severe health problems. Most people infected with Chlamydia do not show any symptoms for months. So we recommend every sexually active person to take the Chlamydia test yearly once to avoid serious health conditions. The following are some of the symptoms of Chlamydia infection
- Genital discharges
- Unusual pelvic and abdominal pain
- Vaginal bleeding
- Testicular pain
- Pain during urination
- Frequent urination
2. Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is also referred to as “The Clap” and it is caused by a bacterium called Neisseria gonorrhoeae which infects the moist areas in the body. Both Chlamydia and Gonorrhea can occur simultaneously leading to severe health problems. Symptoms of Gonorrhea can be noticed after 2 to 14 days of infection. Even the infected people do not show any symptoms, still, they can spread the disease. Gonorrhea can be treated and cured with antibiotics at an earlier stage. Symptoms of Gonorrhea include
- Sore throat
- Heavy periods
- Frequent urination
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Unusual discharge in the genitals
- Sharp abdominal pain
- Fever
3. Hepatitis
Hepatitis is a liver inflammatory disease caused by a virus called Hepatitis. It is transmitted through blood contact with the infected person or through direct contact with the infectious fluids. There are five types of hepatitis namely hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. Hepatitis A, and E are acute, short-term, and can be cured completely whereas Hepatitis B, C, and D are chronic and leads to serious health problems. Hepatitis B is the most common hepatitis found in the U.S. People having sex with an infected partner are more prone to this infection. Regular hepatitis vaccinations can prevent this infection. The common symptoms of hepatitis are
- Fatigue
- Dark urine
- Jaundice
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Abdominal pain
- Pale stool
4. Herpes
Herpes is a viral infection caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV). There are two types of herpes called oral herpes (HSV 1) and genital herpes (HSV 2). Oral herpes is commonly found in half of Americans. It affects the mouth and the face whereas genital herpes affects the genital areas. Sharing lip balm, eating in the same utensils are some of the reasons for getting oral herpes. HSV 2 spreads when you have unprotected sex with the infected person. Herpes cannot be treated completely but the symptoms can be controlled and managed. The symptoms of herpes include
- Blister
- Ulcer
- Pain while urinating
- Vaginal discharge
- Headaches
- Fever
- Lack of appetite
What are the signs and symptoms of STDs?
Most men and women do not show any symptoms for several months even after infection. So we recommend every sexually active young person to do an STD check every year or consult your physician when you feel getting exposed to an STI. Some of the common symptoms of STD are
Symptoms in women
- Vaginal discharge
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Heavy bleeding
- Pain in the lower abdomen
- Severe menstrual periods
Symptoms in men
- Dark penile discharge
- Testicular pain and swelling
- Itching in the anus
- Penile irritation
- Pain during bowel movements
Common symptoms
- Fever
- Joint pain
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- Pain during urination
- Frequent urinating
- Dry cough
- Sore throat
- Sweating in the night
- Fatigue
- Tiredness
Where can I check for STD?
You can check for STD either by visiting the lab or sitting at home. STD check can be done using a blood test, a urine test, or a sample taken using a swab in the infected area. Your physician may suggest any of these three methods depending on your medical and sexual history.
STD testing can be done sitting at home if you don’t have time to visit the lab or if you feel inconvenient to take the test in a commonplace i.e. STD clinic. You can order the STD home test kit online, take the required sample reading the instructions mentioned in it, and then post it back to the given address. The results will be emailed to you confidentially within 5 business days. However, the turnaround of results depends on the receipt of the sample in the lab.
The ideal time to test for STDs
STDs like Chlamydia and Gonorrhea can be tested after a week of infection whereas other STDs except HIV can be tested only after a month of exposure. HIV requires a minimum period of 2 months to get tested. This window period is to ensure an accurate diagnosis.
Physicians recommend waiting for at least a week after the initial exposure to get accurate results.
Is there any preparation required before the STD testing?
There is no special preparation required before STD testing that requires a blood sample. You can have a normal diet and carry on with your regular activities. Only Chlamydia and Gonorrhea require a urine sample to be tested. For taking a urine sample, it is compulsory not to urinate for at least 1 hour before the test.
How are STDs treated?
STDs can be treated using antibiotics at the earlier stage of infection. However, the treatment also depends on the type of sexually transmitted infection you have. There are some anti-retroviral drugs to manage the symptoms of the diseases that cannot be cured. It is very important to take all the antibiotic drugs prescribed for any type of STD even after the symptoms go away.
Are STDs curable?
All the STDs cannot be cured. Bacteria causing infections like Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Syphilis can be cured only when diagnosed at an earlier stage. Viral infections like HIV, Herpes, and Hepatitis can be controlled but cannot be cured.
How to prevent STDs?
- Regular vaccinations
- Not sharing towels or underclothing
- Regular and frequent STD testing
- Practicing monogamy – not having sex with strangers or people other than your husband/wife
To prevent reinfection, do a post check after 1 month of your past treatment and never practice sex again until you get cured completely.
To get tested for STDs anywhere in the US check out STD Testing Cost in the USA
Frequently Asked Questions
Will insurance cover my testing cost?
No, insurance will not be covered in the billing. However, they will provide you a receipt for insurance reimbursement purposes.
How should I book my appointment?
You can choose the most suitable provider from above and make an appointment by following the instructions mentioned by them.
Can I cancel my lab test order?
Yes, you can cancel your lab test order anytime before your testing. A refund will be initiated after deducting the cancellation fee. However, cancellation is at the discretion of the provider.
Do the providers offer result interpretations?
Yes, a few providers may provide doctor consultation who will take you through the results and provide clarification if needed.
How do I receive my report?
To ensure your privacy, the test report will be mailed to you by the provider.
Other topics you may be interested in:-
- STD Testing in Miami
- Do STDs Spread Via Kissing?
- Planned Parenthood STD Testing Cost
- Blood in Urine STDs
- Causes of Bruising on Skin & Other STD Symptoms
- What Types of STDs cause Dry Skin?
- At-Home Chlamydia Testing Cost in the US
- Causes of Penile Rashes and Other STD Symptoms in Men
- HPV in Women: Symptoms, Genital Warts, Treatment and More
