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Getting an STD Check in Austin: What to Know

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Getting an STD Check in Austin: What to Know

This page is general health information, not medical advice. It cannot tell you whether you have an infection. A clinician can, and the testing options on this site are a good place to start.

Deciding to get an STD check is a practical step, not a sign that anything is wrong. In Travis County, the Texas Department of State Health Services recorded a chlamydia rate of 712.6 cases per 100,000 people and a gonorrhea rate of 351.4 cases per 100,000 people in its 2022 Texas STD Surveillance Report. Rates like these are one reason clinicians and the CDC recommend regular testing for sexually active adults, regardless of symptoms. This guide walks through what to bring, where to go in Austin, and what happens at each step.

What You'll Need

  • A general sense of your exposure history: roughly when you were last sexually active and with how many partners, so a clinician can advise on timing.
  • A list of any symptoms, if you have any, since this can change which tests are offered.
  • A photo ID, if you have one. Some Austin clinics ask for it; others do not require it.
  • Insurance information if you have coverage, though several Austin clinics offer free or low-cost testing regardless of insurance status.
  • A way to pay the clinic's fee if one applies, or time to ask about sliding-scale and free options.
  • Time for the visit itself and, in some cases, a follow-up call or portal check for results.

Step-by-Step: Getting an STD Check in Austin

  1. Decide which tests make sense for you. The CDC's STI Treatment Guidelines describe chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV as the infections most commonly screened for in routine testing. The USPSTF recommends HIV testing at least once for everyone ages 15 to 65, and more often for people with ongoing risk factors. Herpes and HPV are not part of routine screening panels unless you have symptoms or your clinician has a specific reason to test, so it's worth asking directly if you want those included.
  2. Choose where to go. Austin has several options with different costs and hours. The Austin Public Health Sexual Health Clinic at the RBJ Health Center, 15 Waller Street, tests for HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia as its standard panel, and tests for genital herpes only if you have active symptoms, according to Austin Public Health. Kind Clinic's Austin location at 101 W Koenig Lane offers walk-in testing for gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, HIV, and Hepatitis C, per Kind Clinic's own site. CommUnityCare's IDEALhealth Program at the Hancock Health Center offers STI and HIV testing on a sliding fee scale. ASHwell, a nonprofit at 3100 Red River St, states its testing and treatment services are always free, though it does not accept walk-ins. Vivent Health's Austin location says its HIV testing is free and confidential. UT Austin students can use University Health Services' drop-in STI testing clinic without an appointment. For a fuller comparison of costs and locations, see our guide to where to get tested in Austin and what it costs, and the local clinic list for more sites.
  3. Call or book ahead when a clinic asks you to. Austin Public Health's clinic is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 to 5 p.m., and can be reached at 512-972-5430 to schedule or ask questions, per Austin Public Health's site. ASHwell asks that you call before arriving, since it does not take walk-ins. Kind Clinic and UT Austin's University Health Services allow drop-in visits for people without symptoms, but anyone with symptoms should expect to see a provider by appointment instead.
  4. Mention your exposure history and any symptoms when you arrive. A clinician uses this to decide which tests to run and when. The CDC's STI Treatment Guidelines note that some infections are easier to detect once enough time has passed since a possible exposure, so timing matters. Being specific, rather than vague, helps the clinician choose the right tests for your situation.
  5. Go through the testing itself. Depending on the panel, this can involve a blood draw, a urine sample, or a swab. None of these require you to already know an answer. The point of the visit is for the test and the clinician, not you, to determine what the results show.
  6. Ask about cost before you leave, if you haven't already. Austin Public Health lists its fee for testing and treatment at $30. CommUnityCare's IDEALhealth Program uses a sliding scale set after a conversation with a financial eligibility specialist. ASHwell and Vivent Health describe their core testing services as free. If a clinic's page doesn't list a price for the service you want, ask the front desk directly rather than assuming.
  7. Find out how and when you'll get results. Turnaround time varies by test and by lab, and clinics differ in whether they call, send a portal message, or ask you to return in person. Ask before you leave so you're not left guessing.
  8. Follow your clinician's guidance on next steps. Bacterial infections like chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis, along with trichomoniasis, can be cured with treatment a clinician prescribes. HIV, herpes, and HPV are not cured, but they are treatable or manageable with ongoing care. If a partner needs treatment too, Texas rules described by the CDC's page on expedited partner therapy allow a clinician to prescribe treatment for a partner of an established patient without examining that partner first, which can make it easier for both people to get care.

Tips

  • If cost is a concern, ask about sliding-scale or free options before assuming a visit is out of reach. Several Austin clinics, including CommUnityCare, ASHwell, and Vivent Health, structure at least part of their services around low or no cost.
  • If you want herpes or HPV testing specifically, say so. These aren't part of most standard panels, so you may need to ask directly.
  • If you're on a tight schedule, ask whether a clinic offers walk-in testing, since not every Austin location does.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Testing immediately after a possible exposure and assuming a result settles the question right away. A clinician can advise on whether more time or a repeat test is needed.
  • Skipping testing because there are no symptoms. Many STIs don't cause noticeable symptoms, which is part of why the CDC and USPSTF recommend routine screening rather than symptom-based testing alone.
  • Forgetting to ask how results will be shared, which can lead to confusion or delay in follow-up care.
  • Not telling the clinic about a partner who may also need care. Texas's rules on expedited partner therapy exist in part to make that step easier.

What the Results Can Tell You

Testing can give a clinician information to work with, but no test is described as foolproof, and results are best interpreted with a clinician's guidance rather than on your own. A result may suggest further testing, a prescribed treatment, or ongoing management, depending on the infection and your specific situation. If anything about a result is unclear, the clinic that performed the test is the right place to ask follow-up questions.

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