Free STD Testing Near You in Baltimore, MD

Getting tested for STDs isn’t often a decision arrived at without any stress or embarrassment. It is, however, the right decision for bettering your own personal sexual health and contributing to lowering the rate of disease across the city. Commonly reported STDs like gonorrhea and chlamydia often present with no symptoms whatsoever, making it even easier to transmit disease from one partner to another without anyone knowing.³ Stop this cycle by learning the facts about fast, cost-effective and discreet STD testing.

Cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea and primary and secondary (P&S) syphilis are on the decline, regular STD testing for those at risk helps to perpetuate the trend. What does an at risk person look like? Any sexually active person who has never been tested for STDs before, anyone who has had more than one partner in the last year, anyone who thinks they may have been exposed to an STI by their partner, or anyone in a high risk group, like adolescents and young adults and men who have sex with men (MSM). All STDs can be treated and many can be cured. Waiting to get tested out of fear often can cause more problems than a positive result. Improve the community health of Baltimore by getting tested as soon as possible if you believe you’re at risk.

Chlamydia rates and number of infections are on the decline in Baltimore. However, this sexually transmitted infection remains the most commonly in the area and as well as nationwide. In 2013, 7,751 new infections were reported compared to 8,047 in 2012. 2010 reported the most elevated number of new cases in the city with 8,535.²

One STD on the rise in Baltimore is gonorrhea, which reported an increase of 2,179 cases reported in 2012 compared to 1,983 new infections reported in 2013. Looking at the data set of reports ranging from 2007-2013, the year that reported the highest number of gonorrhea infections was 2008 with 3,3000 new diagnoses recorded by the city health department.²

Conversely, primary and secondary syphilis cases continue to decline. In 2013, the Baltimore City Health Department published a report proclaiming 212 new infections, compared to 237 the previous year. From 2007-2013, the highest number of primary and secondary (P&S) infections was 243 in 2011.2 According to reports from the Maryland Department of Mental Health and Hygiene, Baltimore reported 426 new HIV infections in 2013 compared to 598 reported the year before.³ All of these reports result from individuals taking STD tests. There are likely many more undiagnosed sexually transmitted diseases in the Baltimore area, and without a test and diagnosis, a patient can’t be linked to additional care. Getting tested is simply a matter of better personal and public health.

The Maryland State Department of Education calls for a comprehensive approach to sexual education for public school students. Comprehensive education calls for age-appropriate, medically accurate health and sexual education incorporating lessons on HIV/AIDS awareness, STD facts and prevention, abstinence as the only 100% method of prevention for STDs and teen pregnancy, as well as skills to develop health relationships and strong self-esteem. Another aim of the curriculum is to make students aware of the resources at school, at home in the community to reach out to in order to make the best overall decisions for their healthy lifestyle.⁵

Additionally, teachers and staff at Maryland public schools are required to work with members of the county health department in establishing the sexual education curriculum. This is another safeguard toward medical accuracy of the lessons presented in classrooms.⁶ Starting a conversation with young people about the risks and preventive measures relating to sexually transmitted diseases aids in removing the stigma of getting tested and ultimately, treated. With nearly 10 million young people affected by STDs each year in the United States, a foundation of comprehensive sexual education combined with lessons on how to ask the right questions of the right people in a safe environment is key.⁷

According to reports from the Maryland Department of Health and Hygiene, the Baltimore, Columbia and Towson metropolitan statistical area (MSA) accounts for 57% of all HIV infections in the state. In the MSA, 50-59 year olds are the most commonly reported age group for living with HIV, with 33.1% of cases of those currently living with HIV. When it comes to the impact of HIV on the gender distribution in this area, 64.3% of infections are reported in men compared to 35.7% reported in women. In Baltimore, the African American population is the most affected by the spread of disease, reporting 77.2% of all HIV infections in the MSA, compared to 15.5% reported by the next closest demographic group, Caucasians.³

While the number of infections in Baltimore are currently trending downward, the continued push to reach out to members who have more limited access to medical services and encouraging them to get tested and treated, if called for, is an important aim of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy.⁸ Breaking down the barriers to testing is imperative to encourage all populations affected to reach out the tests and to get the treatment they need.

It’s understandable to feel apprehension about getting tested for sexually transmitted infections, and STDtest.com is here to help guide Baltimore residents along, every step of the way. Getting screened for STDs doesn’t need to be a lengthy process, and when you’re done, you can use that free time to partake in something you enjoy, like a visit to the Enoch Pratt Library. To begin, just select your tests online or by phone with our team. You’ll then choose a testing location nearest or most convenient to you, with thousands to choose from in the national network. No appointment is necessary and same-day options are available.

After that, your test results are available usually within 24 to 48 hours. The medical team is available to answer any follow up questions you have or even to prescribe treatment, if medically appropriate or if allowed by state law. Get tested. It’s for your better health.

References:
1 US Census Bureau Quick Facts – Baltimore, MD
2 Baltimore City Health Department HIV/STD Prevention
3 Incidence, Prevalence, and Cost of Sexually Transmitted Infections in the United States
4 HIV in the Baltimore-Towson Metropolitan Area
5 Maryland State Department of Education – Comprehensive Health Education
6 Current Maryland Standards for Sex Education
7 Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Young Americans
8 National HIV/AIDS Strategy in the US