Gonorrhea Testing near me in Bartow, Florida

Who should get tested for gonorrhea?

According to the CDC, anyone who is sexually active can get gonorrhea, but it is most commonly found in individuals between the ages of 15-24. It is especially important to get tested if you have had unprotected sex, have a new sexual partner, have multiple sexual partners, or if your partner has been diagnosed with an STD/STI. If you are a sexually active man who has sex with men, it is recommended to get tested annually. Pregnant women should also get tested to prevent passing the infection to the baby during childbirth.

Importance of getting tested

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection that can cause serious health problems if left untreated, including infertility in both men and women. It can also increase your risk of getting or giving HIV. Many people with gonorrhea don't have any symptoms, so testing is the only sure way to know if you have this infection. Early detection and treatment can prevent these complications and stop the spread of the infection.

Gonorrhea testing options in Bartow, FL:

Urgent care and walk-in clinics

Urgent care centers such as Night Owl Pediatrics Urgent Care in Tampa and Sunshine Urgent Care in Lakeland offer STD testing services. These facilities often have shorter wait times than traditional doctor's offices and you can book same-day or next-day appointments through Solv’s website and mobile app.

Primary care providers

Your primary care provider can also test for gonorrhea. If you don't have a primary care provider, Solv can help you find one in the Bartow area.

Free STD testing and community health centers

There are also community health centers that offer free or low-cost testing. Urgent Care USA in Plant City is one such location.

At-home testing

At-home testing kits are another option. These kits can be ordered online, used at home, and then sent to a lab for analysis. Results are typically available within a few days.

Prevalence of gonorrhea in Bartow

While exact numbers for Bartow are not readily available, Polk County, where Bartow is located, has seen an increase in gonorrhea cases in recent years, according to the CDC. This trend mirrors what is happening at the state and national level.

Risk factors related to gonorrhea in Bartow

Risk factors for gonorrhea include being sexually active, having multiple sexual partners, having a partner with an STD/STI, and not using condoms consistently or correctly. The rise in gonorrhea cases in Bartow could be attributed to these risk factors.

Other STDs in Bartow

In addition to gonorrhea, other STDs such as chlamydia, HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis are also prevalent in Bartow and the surrounding areas. As with gonorrhea, testing is crucial for early detection and treatment of these infections.