Testing is critical to prevent the spread of STDs and it is quick and painless.
Schedule your appointment at a free/low-cost clinic today!
Free/Low-Cost Testing sites:
Lafayette Foundation Clinic
117 Caillouet Place
Lafayette, LA 70501
337.988.9737
lfclinic.org
Acadiana Cares
809 Martin Luther King Jr Dr
Lafayette, LA 70501
337.233.2437
acadianacares.org
Louisiana Department of Health
Lafayette Parish Health Unit
220 W. Willow St.
Lafayette, LA 70501
337.262.5616
ldh.la.gov
The Lowdown on How to Prevent STDs
- As of September 30, 2020, 51% of all early syphilis diagnoses occurred among persons 13-29 years old and an additional 28% occurred among persons 30-39 years old.*
- Louisiana rankings:
• #2 in States with Highest Infection Rates of Chlamydia**
• #5 in State with Highest Infection Rates of Gonorrhea**
• Overall Louisiana ranks #3 with the Highest Score of Infection Rates**
*Data based on Louisiana Department of Health, 3rd Quarter Report 2020
**Data based on CDC’s 2018 STD Surveillance Report
How do STI tests work?
Getting tested can be quick and easy. Depending on what you’re being tested for, your provider may take a blood sample, a swab, or ask you to pee in a cup. Easy! Here’s an idea of what to expect for some more common STIs.
How the test is done: Swab of genital area or urine sample
What you also need to know: If you have had oral or anal sex, let your healthcare provider know this also. These sites may be infected, but vaginal or urine samples may not be positive.
How the test is done: Swab of genital area or urine sample
What you also need to know: If you have had oral or anal sex, let your healthcare provider know this also. These sites may be infected, but vaginal or urine samples may not be positive.
When a person has no symptoms
How the test is done: Blood test (drawn from arm or a fingerstick)
What you also need to know: Be sure to ask for a type-specific IgG test (not an IgM test)
When a person has symptoms
How the test is done: Swab of affected area; if at first negative for herpes, follow later with blood test to make sure.
What you also need to know: Must be done as soon as possible; “viral culture” test not as accurate after 48 hours. Viral culture also has high rate of false negatives. There is less chance of a false negative result with Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing (NAAT). NAATs are fast, accurate, and can tell if a person has HSV-1 or HSV-2.
How the test is done: Blood test, or sample taken from a sore.
What you also need to know: The CDC recommends all pregnant women be tested for syphilis.
How the test is done: Swab of infected area, physical exam or sample of discharge.
What you also need to know: “Trich” is harder to detect in men than in women.
Low-risk HPV (genital warts)
How the test is done: Visual diagnosis (for genital warts, caused by low-risk HPV)
What you also need to know: Warts can occur in both men and women.
High-risk HPV (cervical cancer)
How the test is done: Regular screening with Pap and/or HPV tests.
What you also need to know: Pap tests detect cervical cell changes, not HPV. HPV tests indicate infection with the virus itself. No test available for men for these types of HPV.
Visit Louisiana Health Hub to learn more about Get Loud Louisiana