Free STD Testing Near You in Norfolk, VA

Why not enjoy the best Norfolk has to offer, like an day with family and friends at Virginia Zoological Park or taking a trip downtown along the Cannonball trail, rather than waiting and worrying about getting tested for STDs? It’s easy to see why it could feel stressful, embarrassing or even shameful to get tested, but it doesn’t need to be. Help remove the stigma by taking control of your sexual health, instead of being left in the dark regarding your STD status. The process is simple and a dedicated team of Care Advisors is available 7 days a week from 6 AM – 10 PM.

To help combat the rise of STDs in the area, this is the best course of action to take. Norfolk reports 10% of all HIV cases across the state of Virginia, and continues to see growing rates of chlamydia as recently as 2014.⁴ Working to lower this rate takes testing and linkage to care is essential for lowering the rates in any community across the country. Take control of your personal health and the better sexual health of the Norfolk area by knowing the risks and getting answers when you need them most. As of 2014, this statistical area accounted for 10% of all HIV cases reported in the state of Virginia, a statistic that should urge residents to find the best testing option for them.

The most commonly reported sexually transmitted disease in Norfolk is chlamydia, with a rate of infection that continues to decline according to the most recent reports circulated by the Virginia Department of Health. In 2013, 3,128 cases were reported, with a rate of infection reaching 1,270.8 new infections per 100,000 residents. The following year, these numbers lowered to 2,842 new cases and a rate of 1,154.6/100,000. Gonorrhea is currently on the rise in the area, jumping from 755 infections diagnosed in 2013 compared to 794 in 2014, with rates rising year-over-year from 306.7/100,000 to 322.6/100,000. The number of primary and secondary (P&S) syphilis infections continues to decrease in Norfolk, lowering from 17 to 12 between 2013 and 2014.^1-3

HIV infections in Norfolk are also declining. In the 2010-2014 data reporting time period, the rate of infection hit a peak in 2010 with 39.6/100,000 and a low in 2014 with 29.3/100,000 new reported infections in this Eastern Virginia population. In order to perpetuate this downward trend, STD testing is a vitally important method. In the instance of HIV, getting tested is the first important step, followed by a linkage to care, which can greatly improve the quality of life and improve the chance of viral suppression.^4&5

Norfolk public schools, in addition to all public schools across the state, administer Family Life health and sexual education curriculum. This encompasses an age-appropriate, medically-accurate approach taught in sequence. Major focuses of the instruction include knowledge of STD and HIV/AIDS risks and prevention, methods used to avoid unintended pregnancy, abstinence as a 100% effective method of STD of avoiding both teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.⁶

This programming is assembled by a committee of no more than 20 members, as dictated by the Code of Virginia Law. All programming needs to be approved on a consistent basis and should be updated periodically to address any issues of medical accuracy. Another equally important aim of Family Life education is to instill lessons pertaining to the role self-esteem and the development of healthy relationships, and how they factor into recognizing unhealthy dating and risky sexual behaviors. Having the knowledge and confidence to stand up to peer pressure is an integral tenet of like-minded sexual programs implemented by progressive states across the nation. Knowing the risks and getting tested is one of the most effective ways to lower the STD rate in Norfolk, Virginia and beyond.⁶

Across the state of Virginia, eastern communities like Norfolk feel the impact of sexually transmitted diseases most in the youth population in minority communities. In 2014, the age group in Virginia most affected by the spread of chlamydia is young women ages 15-24. This age group reported 23,026 of all new infections. In the case of gonorrhea, 4,290 new infections were reported in men compared to 3,827 in women that year, displaying a gender disparity less than that of chlamydia. The highest number of new primary and secondary (P&S) infections are reported in men, with 268 new diagnoses compared to 13 reported by women to the Virginia Department of Health. Men also report HIV infection at a higher rate compared to women, with 80.7% of all infections recorded in 2014.^1-4

In the state of Virginia, African Americans are the most affected demographic group by the fluctuating rates of sexually transmitted disease in the area. In the case of chlamydia, 43.3% of all cases were reported by this group, followed by Caucasians with 21.8%. Similarly, 62.3% of all gonorrhea infections were reported by African Americans in 2014. Of all 281 primary and secondary (P&S) reported in Virginia in 2014, 141 were reported by African Americans. The highest risk group for HIV infections in the Virginia area are men who have sex with men (MSM), reporting 42.2% of all infections. Again, getting tested is another way to reach the aims of slowing down the spread of sexually transmitted diseases and eventually eradicating them.^1-4

Why not spend your free time on activities you enjoy, rather than worrying and waiting about your STD status? Spend you day exploring the Chrysler Museum of Fine Art or at Town Point Park with the time you’ll save either waiting to get into the doctor’s office or in a crowded waiting room. Getting started with STDtest.com entails answering a brief medical questionnaire, either online or by phone. You’ll then receive a doctor-recommended panel of tests, customized to your symptoms and sexual history. Next, you’ll choose a testing option. You can choose a local lab for a short visit (usually 30 minutes or less) to collect your test samples, no appointment needed. No appointment is needed and same-day options are often available. If available in your area, you can get tested at home, work or anywhere you choose with In-Home Collection.

For both options, your results will be available usually within three business days or less. If you have any questions or concerns, our medical team is available to discuss your diagnosis and even to prescribe treatment, if medically appropriate and if allowed by state law. Get tested. It’s for your better health.

References:

1 Virginia STD Surveillance Report March 2015 – Gonorrhea
2 Virginia STD Surveillance Report March 2015 – Chlamydia
3 Virginia STD Surveillance Report March 2015 – Primary and Secondary Syphilis
4 Virginia HIV Surveillance Annual Report 2015
5 CDC – HIV Fact Sheets
6 Family Life Education – Board of Education Guidelines and Standards of Learning for Virginia Public Schools