According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and San Diego County Health Officials, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Syphilis are on the rise in San Diego, CA. STDs can lead to severe complications if left untreated at the earlier stage. Also, the symptoms of STDs do not show up in the early stage of infection. So we highly recommend every sexually active person to get tested for STD screening at least once a year.
The article below covers all the significant topics that are relevant to sexually transmitted diseases in San Diego, including STD test cost in San Diego, the most common STDs in San Diego, how to check for STDs, preparation, treatment, complications, and where to get tested for STDs.
- STD Testing Cost in San Diego
- What are STDs?
- How are STDs Transmitted?
- Oral STD
- What are the most common STDs found in San Diego?
- 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 very much interested in knowing the STD testing cost in San Diego, CA, we would like to begin with that section.
How much does STD testing cost in San Diego, CA?
STD testing cost ranges between $14 and $444 in different labs and facilities across San Diego. The cost of STD testing also depends on the choice of your specific STD testing or testing for all the STDs (STD panel). No prior appointment is required. Compare the price, order your test online and visit the nearest lab during lab business hours or shop the STD home testing kit. Complete the procedure and get the results in your email in 2 to 3 business days.
The following table shows the STD home test kit and STD testing cost in San Diego at 3 of our partner laboratories (CLIA – Certified) network located across the U.S.
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
STD requires two stages of testing.
1. Screening test: The screening test will be done to check the presence of microorganisms in the body that cause STDs. The result may be positive or negative.
2. Diagnostic test: If the screening test results are positive, further diagnostic tests will be performed to know the exact stage of infection.
STD testing cost in San Diego with insurance
Many health insurance policies in San Diego do not cover the cost of STD screening tests. But they may cover the cost of the additional diagnostic tests performed. However, the coverage offered by private health insurance companies and national health insurance programs like Medicare and Medicaid varies widely. So we recommend you check the coverage of your insurance plan before getting tested for STDs.
Our STD testing providers in San Diego, CA offer screening tests for all STDs. They do not accept any kind of health insurance plan, but 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.
What are STDs?
STDs refer to Sexually Transmitted Diseases and are sometimes known as “Venereal Diseases”. Sexually transmitted diseases are infections caused by microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, yeast, and parasites. These microorganisms grow in the genital areas as they are usually moist and warm. There are more than 20 types of common STDs such as Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Herpes, Hepatitis, HIV, Trichomoniasis, and HPV that affect both men and women.
STD causes, symptoms, risks, and treatment explained in a short 2 minutes video:
How are STDs transmitted?
STDs are generally transmitted through vaginal, anal, or oral sex and sometimes through blood contact or skin contact with the infected person. Hardly, you can get an STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection) when you come into close contact with some moist objects like towels, wet clothing, or toilet seats of the affected person. A pregnant woman with a sexually transmitted disease can easily pass it to her child at birth.
What is an oral STD?
Oral STD refers to a sexual disease transmitted through oral sex. Oral sex is stimulating the genitals using the mouth and tongue. Some of the most common oral STDs found in the U.S are Gonorrhea, Syphilis, and Oral Herpes. Oral STD usually affects the mouth and throat of both men and women. The most common symptoms of oral STD are fever blisters, sore, and painful throat.
What are the most common STDs found in San Diego, CA?
The following are the most common STDs found in San Diego.
1. Chlamydia
Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted disease and it is caused by a bacterium called Chlamydia trachomatis. It can be cured only if it is detected and treated at an earlier stage of infection. Some people may get Chlamydia infection in their eyes which is called Eye Chlamydia. This occurs when you touch your eye without washing your hands after sex. Chlamydia-infected people do not show or experience any symptoms for several weeks after infection but Chlamydia at the advanced stage can damage the reproductive system resulting in pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and infertility in both men and women. The common symptoms of Chlamydia infection are
- Abnormal genital discharges
- Urge to urinate
- Pain while urinating
- Excess vaginal bleeding in women
2. Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea, sometimes known as “The Clap” is caused by the bacterium Neisseria Gonorrhea. Chlamydia and Gonorrhea can occur at the same time. In most cases, Gonorrhoea infects the throat which is called Throat Gonorrhea. Gonorrhea-infected people do not notice any symptoms for a few weeks. Gonorrhea can be treated using antibiotics at an earlier stage, but if it is left untreated it may lead to some serious complications like infertility in both men and women. Some of the common symptoms of Gonorrhea infection are
- Fever
- Pain in the joints
- Pain while urinating
- Unusual genital discharges
- Swelling and pain in the testicles
- Pain during sexual intercourse
3. Syphilis
Syphilis is caused by the bacterium called Treponema Pallidum and it is one of the most rising STDs in San Diego, CA. This infection is commonly found in men having sex with men. Syphilis infection occurs in four stages namely primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary (advanced) stage. The primary and secondary stages of Syphilis infection are the most infectious stages while the latent stage does not show any symptoms as the bacteria remain inactive. The tertiary stage is the advanced stage which is dangerous and life-threatening.
In the primary stage, a chancre (painless sore) appears on the moist genital areas and rectum indicating that bacterium has entered into the body. Symptoms differ depending on the different stages of infection. The primary and secondary stages of Syphilis infection can be easily treated with a penicillin injection. The tertiary stage may lead to death causing neurological damages and some problems in the eyes and heart.
People with Syphilis infection are at a higher risk of getting HIV infection. Other than sores, there are some common symptoms in syphilis-infected people. They are
- Headache
- Hair loss
- Fatigue and tiredness
- Joint pain
- Neurological and muscular disorders
- Blindness
- Deafness
- Paralysis
4. Hepatitis
Hepatitis is not as common as the above-mentioned STDs because the country has brought the spread of Hepatitis under control through vaccination programs. It is a liver inflammatory disease caused by a virus called Hepatitis and it is spread through blood contact with the infected person or through direct contact with some infectious fluids.
There are five types of Hepatitis infection namely Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. Hepatitis A and E are acute, short-term, and can be completely cured while Hepatitis B, C, and D are chronic and results in complicated health issues. Hepatitis A is the most common Hepatitis found in San Diego. 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 infection are
- Tiredness
- Dark urine
- Jaundice
- Appetite loss
- Loss in weight
- Pain in the abdomen
- Pale stool
What are the signs and symptoms of STDs?
Most people with an STI do not show or experience any signs or symptoms in their earlier stages of infection. So we recommend every sexually active person to consult a concerned physician if you suspect of having an STD or feeling of being exposed to it. Some of the common symptoms and signs of STD are
Symptoms in women
- Abnormal vaginal discharge
- Pain during urination
- Painful sexual intercourse
- Pain in the lower abdomen
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
Symptoms in men
- Dark penile discharge
- Burning sensation or irritation while urinating
- Swelling and pain in the testicles
- Itching in the anus
- Penile irritation
- Painful and irregular bowel movements
Common symptoms
- Loss of weight
- Fever
- Headache
- Joint pain
- Jaundice
- Diarrhea
- Cough
- Unusual sweat during the night
- Fatigue
- Soreness in throat
How to check for STDs?
There are different tests available to diagnose sexually transmitted diseases. To check for an STD, your concerned physician may ask you to take a particular test depending on your sexual medical history and the symptoms experienced. You may be asked to take a blood or a urine sample or a sample is taken using a cotton swab in the infected area such as mouth, throat, vagina, anus, or penis. Even though you do not notice or experience any of the STD symptoms, we recommend checking for STDs at least once a year.
The right time to test for STDs
For more accurate results, physicians recommend waiting for a week minimum after the initial exposure to any infection. But it also depends on the type of infection. Because some STDs like Chlamydia and Gonorrhea can be tested after a week of infection whereas HIV requires a minimum period of 2 months to be tested.
Is there any preparation required before the STD testing?
There is no special preparation required before the STD testing that requires a blood sample. Only Chlamydia and Gonorrhea will be tested using a sample of urine. For this sample, it is compulsory not to urinate for at least one hour before the sample is taken. There is no constraint on the diet.
Where to get tested for STDs?
You can get tested for STDs anywhere in San Diego, CA nearest to your location. You can book your required test online and visit the nearest lab anytime during lab working hours without any prior appointment. After you have taken the test, the test results will be confidentially emailed to you within 2 to 3 working days.
You can also get tested for STDs at your home if you do not have time to visit the lab or if you feel uncomfortable taking the STD test in a commonplace. You can order your STD home testing kit online, take the required sample by reading the instructions mentioned in the kit, and post the sample back to the given address. The test results will be emailed to you within 5 working days. However, the turnaround of results depends on the receipt of the sample in the lab.
STD treatment
STDs can be treated with the help of antibiotics and antiviral drugs at the earlier stage of infection. It is very important to consume all the antibiotic drugs prescribed by the physician even after the symptoms go away. In the case of incurable STDs, there are some anti-retroviral drugs to control and manage the symptoms.
Is STD curable?
Not all STDs can be cured. Bacteria causing STDs like Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Syphilis can be cured at the earlier stage of infection. The virus-causing infections like HIV, Herpes, and Hepatitis can be controlled and managed but cannot be completely cured. Once these viruses enter the body, they will stay with you forever.
What are the methods to prevent STDs?
STDs cannot only be prevented by having safe and protected sex, but there are also other preventive methods that should be considered. They are
- Regular vaccinations
- Routine STD checks
- Monogamy – not having sex with strangers or people other than your husband/wife
- Not sharing the towels or underclothing
To prevent reinfection, we recommend you 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 any STD in any other part of the US, check here for STD Test cost in the U.S.
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.
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