Free STD Testing in Lakewood, WA

The Chlamydia rate in Pierce County has steadily increased over the past 15 years and reached an all-time high in 2014. The number of cases nearly doubled over this period. In 2014, Pierce County reported 4,372 cases of Chlamydia and a rate of 532.3 per 100,000 population. The rate was much higher than the statewide rate of 376.7 per 100,000 population.

The Gonorrhea rate in Pierce County has been inconsistent in recent years with periods of high and low rates. There were 1,271 cases reported in 2014. The rate in 2014 was 154.8 per 100,000 population. The county rate increased most drastically from 2011 to 2014, reaching an all-time high in 2014. In comparison, the statewide rate was 88.1 per 100,000 population.

Similar to Gonorrhea and Chlamydia rates, the Primary & Secondary Syphilis rate reached an all-time in 2014. Pierce County reported 30 cases of Syphilis in 2014. While most STD rates in Pierce County were higher than the statewide average, the Syphilis rate was lower than the Washington rate of 4.8 per 100,000 population.

There were a total of 63 newly diagnosed HIV cases in Pierce County in 2014. The rate increased by 43% from the previous year. Pierce County had the second highest number of cases in the state behind King County and accounted for 14% of the state’s total cases in 2014.

According to state law, public schools in the state of Washington must instruct students about methods to prevent exposure to and transmission of sexually transmitted diseases. Information regarding sexually transmitted diseases in the state of Washington must put “emphasis to the importance of sexual abstinence, sexual fidelity, and avoidance of substance abuse in controlling disease.”

Sexual education instruction is not mandated by Washington state law. It is up to local schools districts to decide if and how sexual education programs are administered in local schools. The policy states, “The decision as to whether or not a program about sexual health education is to be introduced into the common schools is a matter for determination at the district level by the local school board.”

However, when sexual education programs are offered in public schools, the material must be age appropriate, medically accurate and culturally unbiased. While sexual education programs are not mandated, HIV education programs are required in all Washington state schools.

Schools in Lakewood are run by the Clover Park School District. These schools include Clover Park High School, Lakes High School, Hudloff Middle School, Lochburn Middle School, Mann Middle School and Woodbrook Middle School.

Females aged 20-24 years old were disproportionately affected by Chlamydia in Pierce County. The 20-24 age bracket for both males and females showed 1809 cases in 2014 and a rate of 3,055.6 per 100,000 population. This was about six times the average rate. The female rate was about double the rate among males. Both male and female rates have been on the rise in recent years.

Similar to Chlamydia, the group most affected by Gonorrhea was females aged 20-24 years old. However, the male rate was almost as high in the age bracket. Since 2010, the male and female rates have been on the rise. The cases increased at a similar rate during this period. In 2014, 20-24 years olds accounted for 413 total Gonorrhea cases and a rate of 697.6 per 100,000 population.

Syphilis cases in Pierce County showed similar trends. Females aged 20-24 years old were most affected by the STD. There were a total of 9 cases among individuals in the age group and a rate of 15.2 per 100,000 population. The male and females rates have tracked similarly in recent years. The female rate increased more steadily since 2010.

In 2014, there were 63 newly diagnosed HIV cases in Pierce County and a total of 446 cases reported in the state of Washington. 377 cases were male cases, and 69 cases were female cases. The highest number of cases was found among individuals aged 25 to 34 years old. Whites showed the most cases, and Blacks had the second highest number.

It’s important to know where you can turn for reliable STD testing in the Lakewood area. Many healthcare clinics offering STD testing and treatment services are located in Tacoma. Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department is one of several locations in Pierce County that offers confidential STD testing.

The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department is located at 3629 S D St in Tacoma, Washington. The clinic is about 20 minutes away from Lakewood. Communicable Disease Control offers STD testing and treatment services including Hepatitis B Vaccine, Chlamydia Test, Conventional HIV Blood Test, Rapid HIV Blood Test, Syphilis Test, Gonorrhea Test, Hepatitis A Vaccine and Hepatitis C Test. The health department also provides sexual health education resources for Pierce County residents.

Comprehensive STD testing and treatment services are available for Lakewood residents at the Tacoma Health Center, a health center operated by Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest and the Hawaiian Islands. This is a popular location for services including Chlamydia Test, Conventional HIV Blood Test, Gonorrhea Test, Hepatitis B Vaccine, Herpes Test, HPV Vaccine, Rapid HIV Blood Test and Syphilis Test. Located at 1515 Martin Luther King Jr Way in Tacoma, the health clinic also provides free condoms, educational materials and payment plans for uninsured patients.

Community Health Care  – Lakewood Family Medical Clinic is the most conveniently located health center for Lakewood residents. The health clinic is committed to providing quality healthcare services to local residents, especially uninsured and low-income patients. Hepatitis B Vaccine, Chlamydia Test, Conventional HIV Blood Test, Rapid HIV Blood Test, Syphilis Test, Gonorrhea Test, Herpes Test and Hepatitis A Vaccine are among the medical services offered. The clinic is located at 10510 Gravelly Lake Drive SW in Lakewood.

To achieve better sexual health, get tested for STDs in the Lakewood area. STD rates in Pierce County are especially high among women and young adults. Chlamydia, Gonorrhea and Syphilis rates rates reached an all-time high in 2014.

Since sexual education is not required in Washington schools, families and local communities must spread accurate information about sexual health and STD prevention. Everyone in Lakewood should know that STD testing is safe and confidential and that regular testing is the best way to prevent the spread of STDs.