According to the latest CDC data for 2018, released in August 2019, Orlando is the 43rd biggest STD epicenter in the US, with 1,434 new cases of gonorrhea, 357 cases of chlamydia, and 20 new syphilis infections. Oddly enough, the data also shows a 23% increase in newly reported STIs among citizens over 60. Another unfortunate fact is that Orlando placed second in new cases of HIV in 2017 (730), just behind Miami.
If we are to combat this epidemic, regular STD screening and timely therapy have to become integral parts of our lives. Most of the common STIs can be cured with antibiotics if they are caught early on. This will not only increase the quality of one’s sexual life but also prevent potential infections from reaching critical and life-altering stages.
This comprehensive guide will present all STD testing options in Orlando, Florida, compare them against each other, and draw some useful conclusions that should help you make the best decision based on your personal needs and preferences.
STD Testing Options In Orlando
When it comes to STD testing options in Orlando, you can choose from at-home STD testing, online STD screening with partnered clinics, STD testing at clinics, and free STD testing.
At-home or direct-to-customer STD testing in Orlando is by far the most private and anonymous option. In other words, you can pretty much go through the entire procedure without ever leaving your home. After receiving your order, your chosen provider will dispatch a personal at-home testing kit to the specified address. When it arrives, all you have to do is collect the required biological samples and send them back to the lab using the provided pre-paid mailer. In a day or two, you should receive your final report online with necessary recommendations if you test positive. At-home testing providers also have their in-house doctors that can prescribe medications and monitor your condition. This method allows you to monitor your sexual health on a regular basis without having to deal with crowded waiting rooms and discuss your sexual life with strangers.
Online STD testing providers with partnered clinics basically follow the same scenario, with one important difference – the sample collection is performed in a partnered draw center instead of your home. Prominent providers work with thousands of clinics around the country, so you should have no problems locating one in your immediate vicinity. Having said that, you do not have to make any appointments and the entire procedure takes less than 15 minutes. Furthermore, these draw centers are actual clinics that receive patients with all kinds of illnesses, so nobody will ever know why you are there. The rest of the protocol mirrors the at-home procedure – you will receive your results online in a day or two and if you test positive, you will gain access to in-house doctors that can provide you with adequate therapy.
Private and state clinics, on the other hand, have numerous downsides compared to the two previous options. First of all, you have to make an appointment well in advance and discuss your sex life with an unknown doctor. The sample collection takes longer and your results will not be available online. The turnaround times are also longer due to overcrowded processing labs. Since you have to account for doctor’s fees and potential copays, this option costs more as well. Lastly, if you test positive, your STD status will become a part of your permanent medical record since clinics are obligated to report it.
Some clinics do offer free STD testing in Orlando, but the pricing is usually set on a sliding scale, which means free screening is reserved for individuals with little to no income. Apart from this, most of them require visible symptoms for free testing, which is quite problematic since more than 80% of all STIs remain asymptomatic during the most crucial stages.
| Austin, TX | At-Home STD Testing | Online STD Testing With Clinic | STD Testing At Clinics | Free STD Testing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | $80+ individual tests, $100+ STD panels | $24+ individual tests, $100+ STD panels | Single tests: $10-$30 w/ insurance; $50-$200 w/o insurance, STD panels: $300-$400 | Free, but you have to qualify |
| Insurance Accepted | N/A | |||
| Sample Collection | Your home | Partnered draw centers | Clinic | Facilities of the testing provider |
| STD Panels Available | ||||
| Appointments | ||||
| Same-Day Testing | Free clinics operate on a first-come, first-served basis, so maybe | |||
| Anonymous Testing | ||||
| Testing Accuracy | 99.99% | 99.99% | 99.99% | 99.99% |
| Turnaround Time | 1-5 days | 1-3 days | Up to 2 weeks | Depends on the number of samples in the lab |
| Online results | Rarely | |||
| Free Private Consultations | ||||
| Free Presciptions |
At-Home STD Testing
MyLab Box is a premium online service that allows its users to test potential exposure to STDs without ever leaving their homes. The company features a wide array of reliable FDA-approved single kits and convenient panels and delivers results with 99.99% accuracy in just 1-5 business days. The testing process is 100% discreet and helps you avoid awkward sessions with your doctor, sitting in crowded waiting rooms, and talking about your sex life with strangers.
- True at-home STD testing in Orlando
- Testing kits made in the US
- CLIA-certified labs in all 50 states
- Free shipping
- Free doctor consultations and prescriptions
- Partnership with more than 1,000 pharmacies nationwide
Online STD Testing With Clinic
STDCheck is one of the best STD testing providers on the market with more than 4,500 testing centers nationwide. Unlike regular clinics, it allows you to place your order online, pick the closest draw center, and provide the relevant sample in just 5 minutes without ever waiting in lines, talking about your symptoms or explaining why you suspect potential exposure to STDs.
- 100% confidential testing
- FDA-approved testing solutions/CLIA-certified labs
- Same-day STD testing/results in 1-2 business days
- Individual tests + panels
- Numerous payment options
- STD Test Recommender
- Free doctor consultations + sessions with care advisors
Some of the available STDCheck locations in Orlando include:
Quest Diagnostics
1700 Lucerne Ter, Orlando, FL 32806
(Mon-Fri 6:30 AM – 3:30 PM; Sat 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM);
100 W Gore Street Ste 302B, Orlando, FL 32806
(Mon-Fri 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM);
5575 S Semoran Blvd Suite 501, Orlando, FL 32822
(Mon-Fri 6:30 AM – 3:30 PM)
Labcorp
4401 S Orange Ave Ste 110, Orlando, FL 32806
(Mon-Fri 6:30 AM – 3:00 PM);
1118 So.orange Ave,ste. 202, Orlando, FL 32806
(Mon-Fri 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM);
5425 S Semoran Blvd, Orlando, FL 32822
(Mon-Fri 6:30 AM – 3:00 PM)
These are just some of the available locations partnered with STDCheck in Orlando. You can find the rest of them simply by entering your ZIP code in the convenient Find-a-Lab tool on the official website.
STD Testing At Clinics
Some of the STD testing clinics in Orlando include:
Hope and Help Center of Central Florida, Inc
4122 Metric Dr #800, Winter Park, FL 32792, United States
(Mon-Fri 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM);
+1 407-645-2577
Affordable Care Clinics @ Sand Lake
1650 Sand Lake Rd #112, Orlando, FL 32809, United States
(Mon-Sat 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM);
+1 407-286-1829
Crew Health
8601 Commodity Cir, Orlando, FL 32819, United States
(Mon-Fri 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM; Sat 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM);
+1 407-605-2252
Inspire Healthcare Center
6388 Silver Star Rd Suite 2B, Orlando, FL 32818, United States
(Mon-Fri 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM);
+1 407-299-3166
Paramount Urgent Care, Lee Vista
5833 S Goldenrod Rd, Orlando, FL 32822, United States
(Mon-Sun 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM);
+1 407-810-8777
Miracle of Love, Inc
741 W Colonial Dr, Orlando, FL 32804, United States
(Mon-Fri 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM);
+1 407-843-1760
ARCpoint Lab of Orlando West
1803 Park Center Dr Suite 110B, Orlando, FL 32835, United States
(Mon-Fri 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM);
+1 978-378-0360
AHF Healthcare Center, Orlando Immunology Center
1701 N Mills Ave, Orlando, FL 32803, United States
(Mon-Fri 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM);
+1 407-204-7000
Free STD Testing
Orlando does not have a wide variety of clinics offering free STD testing, which is definitely a part of the problem. During our research for this article, we were only able to find one option – the local branch of Planned Parenthood. The office is located at 11500 University Blvd Orlando, FL 32817 or you can get in touch via phone at 407-246-1788.