Preferred Location: 1645 Esplanade Suite 5 Chico,CA 95926 Chico Change location
Preferred Location: 1645 Esplanade Suite 5 Chico,CA 95926 Chico Change location
SaferSTD Preferred Location: 1645 Esplanade Suite 5 Chico,CA 95926 Chico Change Location
In 2015, there were 166 people living with HIV or AIDS in Butte County, with a prevalence rate of 86 per 100K people, well under California’s rate of 376. But don’t get smug yet, Chico. Health officials are worried about the bacterial STDs.
In 2017, 1,210 people in Butte County were diagnosed with chlamydia, at a rate of 534.3. The gonorrhea and (primary and secondary) syphilis rates were 135.6 and 26.1.
In a survey, an alarming number of the local college students said they rarely practiced safe sex. Health officials point to this type of behavior to explain the rise in STD rates. Another culprit is the prevalence of “hook-up apps” that result in people having sex with people they’ve met online and don’t know very well.
Also, young people don’t understand that most STIs are asymptomatic. Because they aren’t experiencing symptoms, they don’t get tested right away, and more people catch the disease from them.
The Chico Clinic of the Butte County Public Health Department, located on Oleander Ave, provides STI testing, as does Planned Parenthood, on Cohasset Rd. The Women’s Health Specialists on Humboldt Rd offer confidential STI testing for all genders.
Also, keep an eye on local events to see if there are any free STD testing events coming up, especially around STD Awareness Month or back to school.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention1 (CDC) recommends screening for the most common STDs, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, syphilis, herpes 1, herpes 2, and HIV for both men and women. In addition, the CDC suggests women get screened for trichomoniasis.
SaferSTD recommends searching for locations that offer a 10-test panel which tests for the most common bacteria and viral STDs in the U.S. with additional premium add-ons like early HIV detection, if needed.
The CDC2 provides detailed STD testing information as to when you should get tested. In summary, you should get tested today if you are sexually active, never been tested before, have had unprotected sex in the past, or if you exhibit symptoms.
According to the World Health Organization3, the majority of STI cases reported every day, more than one million, are asymptomatic; another reason to get tested today.
You should get tested again in 90 days to rule out STDs that have specific exposure waiting times, including HIV.
STD testing can be a quick and simple process, depending on the type of test you choose and where you get tested. Some may require an oral or genital swab, a urine test or blood sample, or a physical exam to check your genital area for signs of an STD.
SaferSTD has identified preferred providers that require only a urine test, a blood sample, or both without a physical exam.
The speed at which you receive your STD testing results depends on where you get tested. Before you choose your location, find out how long testing results will take.
At-home STD testing results are usually 3-5 business days, depending on the manufacturer of your test. You also need to take into account the amount of time it takes to receive the test or pick one up, perform the test, and ship it back, before the lab can analyze your results and report back to you.
If you test at a public facility such as a neighborhood clinic, you may have to wait a week, if not more for the results, which could delay treatment. If you test through a private facility, they have the fastest turnaround within 1-3 business days.
SaferSTD has researched and identified the most accredited and most reputable testing locations. Click here to find a preferred location near you.
Some STD testing clinics offer same-day walk-in options without an appointment. Below are nearby preferred locations that offer this option.
The cost of STD testing depends on whether you select private, public, or at-home testing, as well as the type of test(s) you need.
Several at-home STD options and public testing locations can cost up to $250, with most on the higher end, depending on the brand and type of testing. Public testing fees also vary based on income and welfare eligibility.
With private testing, you may save money on a low-cost comprehensive 10-test panel that tests for the most common bacterial and viral STDs in the United States.
SaferSTD has researched and identified reputable locations that offer upfront pricing without hidden fees. Click here to find a preferred location near you.
Order a home-test kit onlineThe test takes just 5 minutes and then mail in your sampleReceive your lab results in 2 to 5 daysFDA approved technologyEnjoy free shipping
The Stonewall Alliance Center was created in 1990 in hopes to provide a safe for members of the LGBTQ+ community that lived in and around Chico, CA. The first location of the Stonewall Alliance Center was secured in 1992. The LGBTQ+ community can find activities, resources, an advocacy center that discusses and knows about the rights that members have within the community. Some programs that the Stonewall Alliance Centers offers include STD testing, recreation and social programs, counseling, support groups, and much more.
Caring Choices is a community-based organization that was created in 1993. Caring Choices provides services to improve the health of surrounding community members that are not existent. The employees at Caring Choices helps people who are living with HIV/AIDS have a better life by providing information and services that help those living with the disease. Since 1993, they have expanded and now help people throughout eight counties including Chico, Marysville, Redding, and much more.
Northern Valley Indian Health is a tribal corporation that is also a private nonprofit organization. Northern California American Indians who wanted more healthcare services for Indians within the state founded this corporation in 1971. Besides the Willows Clinic, NVIH has six other clinics throughout California. The healthcare staff at clinics can provide behavioral health, community health, dental, medical care, outreach support, prenatal care, and much more.
Ampla Health provides access to healthcare services no matter what. Ampla Health is a non-profit network that offers medical, dental, mental health, and specialty care to residents living in and around counties of Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Sutter, Tehama, and Yuba. Ampla Health operates 13 medical centers and six dental centers. Since its founding in 1964, this organization focuses on providing support and care for seasonal and migrant farmworkers that are considered low-income.
The Chico Health Center is operated by the Planned Parenthood of Northern California. The Planned Parenthood Northern California provides communities across northern California with access to sexual health services. The PPNC started in 1929 when the Maternal Health Center was incepted in San Francisco. Services like sexually transmitted disease testing, birth control, LGBTQ services, and much more are offered at modest prices.
The Butte County Public Health Department provides public health services in order to promote individual and community health. Butte County has two main clinics and laboratories. One in Chico and one in Oroville. At the clinic in Chico, people will find high standard STD testing among other health-related services, in addition to education and information so people can get informed about disease and injury prevention for all members of their family.
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Description: Order online and receive a doctor's order to visit this lab to get tested in as little as 15 mins. Get your results privately within 1-2 business days and speak with a doctor over the phone if your test results come back positive. Doctors may prescribe treatment or refer you to a specialist if needed.
Result: 1-2 business days
15 min test
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Doctor Prescription (if needed)
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Accredited and Certified
These location types are best for: Privacy and convenience
Description: Getting an STD test at a clinic near you has never been easier. When you choose this location, you can get a doctor's requisition to get tested in as little as 15 minutes. Following your test, you receive your results privately within 2 business days, and can speak to a doctor over the phone with confidence, should results come back as positive.
Result: 1-2 business days 15 min test Book Online Doctor Prescription (if needed)
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These location types are best for: Privacy and convenience
Description: Why go to a public clinic? Get convenient and fast STD testing that is 100% confidential. Individual tests under $50. Order online and visit this lab the same day for a quick 15 min test. Get your results online within 1-2 business days, and view them privately. Doctor consultation available over the phone, should results come back as positive.
Result: 1-2 business days 15 min test Book Online Doctor Prescription (if needed)
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Accredited and Certified
These location types are best for: Privacy and convenience
Description: Get Fast, Easy and Affordable testing at this location. Results come back within 2 business days and be in and out of the lab in less then 20 minutes.
Result: 1-2 business days 15 min test Book Online Doctor Prescription (if needed)
Show only locations where privacy and discretion is taken into importance.
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Description: Community Based Organization. Everyone is welcome. Also provides many other services for the LGBTQI+ and ally community, including support groups, advocacy, education, referrals. Counseling program provides Individual, couples and family counseling on a low fee/no fee basis. To make an appointment call 530-809-2485. On certain days the center has Spanish speaking and Hmong speaking HIV testers providing service - please check with our office 530-893-3336. Offer testing services for free, and welcome donations. HIV and Hep-C testing by appointment only during COVID-19 precautions
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Description: Public Health Department/Social Services Department. Close for lunch from 11:45am-12:45pm
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Description: There is no cost for most STD testing if clients qualify for FPACT. Sliding scale is available for those who do not qualify.
Show only locations where you can easily book your test online.
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Description: Social Service Organization. If you are uninsured, you may qualify for a state-funded program or a lower fee scale. Fees for services are based on your household income. Only open the 4th Saturday of every month
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Description: Closed for lunch 12:30pm-1pm
Show only locations where they offer the HIV RNA Early Detection Test for people who think they may have been recently exposed to the HIV virus
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Description: Closed for lunch: 12noon-1pm
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Description: Public Health Department/Social Services Department. Closed for lunch from 11:45am-12:45pm
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Description: Saturday hours may vary, call to confirm
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Description: Public Health Department/Social Services Department. Closed from 12noon-1pm daily. Call for HIV and STD testing schedule. By appointment only
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Description: Need to register as a patient. Closed for lunch 12pm-12:30pm
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Description: Public Health Department/Social Services Department. STD testing by appointment.
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Description: Closed for lunch: 12noon-1pm
Two sexually transmitted diseases that are rising at an alarming rate are Gonorrhea and Syphilis. The symptoms associated with these diseases are often mistaken for the common cold, which means the STDs are not diagnosed until others have already been exposed. This is especially true for men who often don’t want to be seen as being weak, and it is thought to be one of the reasons the rates for these two infections rising faster in males.
Chlamydia rates are also rising, especially among women ages 20 to 24. In 2013 infections reported annually surpassed state averages, and has continued to increase. Gonorrhea is also up in women and men, and the same is also true for Syphilis which doubled in the 12 month period between 2014 and 2015.
The statistics also show that it is not just teens and young adults that are at risk for contracting a sexually transmitted disease, but older residents are testing positive more often as well. Syphilis and HIV diagnoses are up in men, and the same is true regarding Gonorrhea.
Everyone is welcome at the center and those 12 years old or older is welcome to take advantage of their sexually transmitted disease testing services. On certain days the center has Spanish speaking and Hmong speaking HIV testers on-site. Please call their office to learn more. Their testing services are free.
The Stonewall Alliance Center is a place for LGBTQ+ community members to come to have fun, join in activities and events, get access to resources and education, and get tested for sexually transmitted diseases. Their STD tests are free and confidential. Visitors of the center will find an open place to discuss things centered around the LGBTQ+ community and find support and strength so they can be comfortable with themselves.
358 E 6th St, Chico, CA 95928, USA
Caring Choices doesn’t have any qualifications visitors must meet before someone can be tested for HIV or Hepatitis C at their facility. The Hepatitis C and HIV testing are also offered at Stonewall Alliance Center on Saturday’s and Tuesday’s.
Caring Choices is a non-profit that aim to help each person that qualify for their services. They offer special services that are diagnosed with HIV/AIDS like financial assistance for housing, an AIDS drug assistance program, an HIV care program, and much more. Caring Choices has been helping people in northern California for more than 15 years. This facility is located next to Richard Health and Associates and across the street from Cal Northern School of Law.
1398 Ridgewood Dr, Chico, CA 95973, USA
If you want to be tested for HIV at Northern Valley Indian Health you must first register as a patient. Besides this qualification, everyone is welcome at the Willows Clinic.
The Willows Clinic is operated as a part of Northern Valley Indian Health. Patients at this clinic will find HIV testing, the vaccine for Hepatitis A and B. At the Willows Clinic, patients will be able to get medical, dental, and community health services completed. This clinic is a white and brown building that is one story tall. There is not a lot of parking available so please keep this in mind. This clinic is across the street from ACE hardware.
207 N Butte St, Willows, CA 95988, USA
The Hamilton City Medical Center offers sexually transmitted disease testing with no qualifications to meet. If you have any questions about being tested you can talk to their site administrator, Alex Martinez via the phone or in-person. Depending on what STD you are being tested for results can come back either the same day or within 10 days.
The Hamilton City Medical Center has been providing health care for residents throughout California for many years. Services found at this center include medical care, physical examinations, family planning, women’s health, immunizations, health education, mental health counseling, nutritional counseling, and laboratory work. Ampla Health has centers where the public can find quick and efficient care with prompt customer service.
278 Main St, Hamilton City, CA 95951, USA
The Chico Health Center offers the public to be tested for sexually transmitted diseases with no qualifications to meet. Please note, if you don’t have health insurance you may qualify for a state-funded program or a lower fee scale. Fees at this clinic are based on your household income. Please bring proof of your income to your first visit.
The Chico Health Center is a secure and informative place for women, men, and teenagers to discuss all sexual health manners. Through waiting times can be long at this clinic, patients will receive quality care by professionals. While waiting patients will find their waiting area to be comfortable and access to free WiFi. This center is conveniently located across the street from the Butte County Fire Station #42.
3100 Cohasset Rd, Chico, CA 95973, USA
The Chico Public Health clinic has a nurse practitioner by the name of Marianne that does all the sexually transmitted disease testing in addition to some other services. She helps patients know if they have HIV, Hepatitis C, Syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea.
The Chico Public Health Clinic provides STD testing, family planning, immunizations, and many more public health services to ensure the safety and health of all community members. This clinic aims to encourage healthy behaviors so each individual can get to their own optimum health. This clinic can arrange Spanish or Hmong speaking staff if needed. This clinic is located across the street from the Gateway Science Museum.
695 Oleander Ave, Chico, CA 95926, USA
In response to the rising STD rates in the city and across the state lawmakers recently passed a bill that mandates that all public school systems follow the same curriculum when it comes to their sex education programs.
In the past all public schools were required to teach HIV prevention, but not all districts were providing additional information on STDs and other important topics. Some sex education classes did not provide students with information on how to protect themselves from STDs, and the subject of regular testing was rarely discussed.
Under the new law, which went into effect at the start of the 2016 school year, all of these topics are now included in the sex education programs, along with information on gender identity, relationship abuse, sexual assault, and even sex trafficking. These classes will begin in the 7th grade and continue through high school. This will help ensure that all of the information presented to students is appropriate for their age.
These changes also include informing students about the importance of regular Herpes testing in Chico, and how the simple procedure could stop the virus from continuing to spread through area high schools. Even though students were already receiving information on regular HIV testing in Chico before the new law was passed, it is now being emphasized more than ever.
The high STD rates in the city are being blamed on a number of factors. While positive steps have been taken across the state, the fact remains that the infectious disease rates are still rising in the community. One reason is the lack of STI clinics in the area, recent budget cuts have forced many to close or operate on limited hours. This has resulted in long lines that no one wants to spend the day standing in.
Budget cuts to health care are also being blamed for STD rates, especially among adults. Now that Medicaid no longer covers the simple and necessary procedure many residents are finding it difficult to afford the cost of regular testing. This is especially true in the city’s lower income neighborhoods, where rates are usually higher.
Older residents are staying healthy and sexually active longer and this is contributing to the high STD rates, especially since the majority of senior citizens have never received any sex education. The growing popularity of dating apps is making it easier for teens and adults to meet other people, and often it is only to engage in consensual sex. While there is nothing wrong with using apps to meet other people, the problem arises when they don’t use protection.
While the changes currently are made to the city’s sex education program is a positive first step, more needs to be done before the STD rates begin to decrease significantly.
On your way to the National Yo-Yo Museum, consider how easy it is to get tested. You already know how important it is, and there are STI clinics nearby. Get an anonymous test that is also affordable, unlike at the free HIV clinics where it’s obvious why you stopped by. Results are often given within a day or two, and your privacy is safe. Now you can truly marvel at the beauty of Bidwell Mansion and it’s public park.
Each page below contains a detailed report of the local area, location STD statistics and clinic reviews of some the top STD testing locations. The content is curated by our very own editors and medical experts.
Your preferred location: 1645 Esplanade Suite 5 Chico,CA 95926 Chico Change Location
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