Austin, Texas is known for being a party city that’s filled with great nightlife and ample opportunities for fun. But Texas as a whole has a major problem: sexually transmitted diseases. The CDC ranks Texas as the third-highest state for new HIV diagnoses in 2015, with 4,476 people testing positive for HIV.
The state has high cases of chlamydia (13th), gonorrhea and tuberculosis (4th), among many others.
You can get an STD test in Austin, with several clinics offering testing. There’s also free STD testing in Austin if you know where to look.
Austin STD Clinics
Austin, the state capital, has 931,800+ residents, with thousands of people getting tested for STDs daily. There are a lot of free clinics in the city that offer testing, too.
Free STD Testing in Austin
When you go to a free clinic, you may need to provide:
- Income documentation
- Proof of residency
Free clinics are funded by donations or the city in some cases. While free, these clinics may require proof of income to prove that you need financial assistance and can’t afford to be tested.
One drawback of free STD testing is that the testing is:
- Often for one type of STD
- Delayed, as there are long waiting lists
But if you’re willing to wait and get tested when a clinic has room or comes to your part of town, then a free clinic will be a great option. The leading, free testing centers in Austin, include:
Austin Travis County Health and Human Services Department Communicable Diseases Unit
Austin offers its own clinic that offers a variety of testing options, including tests for:
- HIV
- Herpes
- HPV
- Gonorrhea
- Chlamydia
Note: HIV testing is free, but there’s a $20 fee for exams and treatments for other tests.
The clinic is located on 15 Waller Street on the first floor. The center is open from 8am – 5 pm Monday through Friday. The clinic closes from noon to one o’clock for lunch. You can call the clinic to make an appointment at 512-972-5430.
Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas Family Planning and Preventative Health Services Downtown Austin Clinic
Planned Parenthood takes donations and offers walk-in HIV testing. The clinic also offers a variety of other testing options, including:
- HIV
- Herpes
- HPV
- Gonorrhea
- Chlamydia
The HPV vaccine is offered at the clinic along with rapid HIV blood testing. Operation hours change often, but the clinic is open from 8am – 6pm on most days, with hours changing from 8am – 2:30pm on Saturday.
The clinic is located at 1823 E. 7th St in Austin, Texas. You can call the clinic at 512-477-5846 to schedule your testing.
People’s Community Clinic
The People’s Community Clinic offers a variety of programs in Austin. The clinic can be reached at 512-478-4939 or reached at 2909 N. IH-35 in Austin. The clinic’s hours are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 8am – 8pm. On Wednesday and Friday, the clinic is open 8am – 5pm.
Austin has a number of other clinics, both free and those that charge. The clinics in the city include:
- CommUnityCare Health Centers: A group of clinics that are spread throughout Austin. You’ll find locations on 500 East Seventh Street (512-978-9920), 1705 East 11th Street (512-978-8400), 1313 Red River Street (512-978-9610), 1000 E 41st Street (512-978-9940), 2529 South First Street (512-978-9500) and 211 Comal Street (512-978-9200).
- AIDS Services of Austin: A center dedicated to the AIDS epidemic. The center is located on 2906 Medical Arts and can be reached at 512-420-8557.
- Lone Star Circle of Care: A great clinic located at 1221 W. Ben White Blvd. The center can be contacted at 877-800-5722.
- Del Valle Health Center: A clinic that is on 3518 FM 973 right outside of Austin in Del Valle. You can call this lesser-known clinic if other clinics in the area are booked. The clinic’s number is 512-978-9760.
- Clinical Pathology Labs: Another group of clinics found in Austin. You’ll find locations on 1111 W. 34th Street Ste 100 (512-467-0559) and 631 W 38th Street (512-459-5916).
- Out Youth Austin: A testing center that is located on 909 E. 49th Street in Austin. You can call to make an appointment at 512-419-1233.
If you go to a clinic, keep in mind that a lot of locations will require you to provide your medical history and information about yourself. The testing center may ask to verify income if they offer discounts or free services to low income individuals.
A private doctor may also be an option for you if you don’t meet the clinical guidelines.
There are over the counter HIV tests available that will test your saliva for antibodies that are created when the HIV virus is present. These tests are also highly accurate, but you won’t be able to test for much more than HIV. Other tests will require a lab to examine and verify the results of the test.
In-person clinics allow you to get tested in your community. While in-person clinics might be free, you sacrifice your privacy and time at a clinic. There are better options available that protect your privacy and provide you with lab certified results.
[alert-success]Online tests allow you to have an STD test shipped directly to your Austin address.[/alert-success]
Anonymity is upheld the entire time, ensuring that your test remains a secret. You have options at this point too. You can simply order a mail in test kit and you take the test yourself, wait for the results and never have to worry that others know you have taken the test. Or, you can go our preferred route and order this test online and take the required forms with you to any of our 4500 US Locations and get the lab work done by a professional. Again, you privacy is always upheld as your name is not used.
And the results are accurate and often done at the same labs your personal doctor would use.
If you would rather not visit a clinic, order an online STD test today.
