STD Testing in Philadelphia, PA

Philadelphia STD Testing Centers

Philadelphia's private testing facilities provide diagnostic testing for a variety of conditions, so other patients won't know the reason for your visit. Your test results will be kept private, and will be available to you quickly--usually in 3 business days or less.

STD Statistics in Philadelphia, PA

STD rates in the Philadelphia area have decreased over the past few years. The most commonly reported STD in the region is chlamydia. In 2012, there were a total of 20,803 cases of chlamydia reported in the city. In 2014, there were a total of 18,935 cases of chlamydia reported. Gonorrhea cases have been decreasing in that time. In 2012, there were a total of 7,293 cases of gonorrhea reported in the area. In 2014, there were a total of 5,961 cases of gonorrhea reported. Throughout all of the United States, syphilis rates have been increasing. In Philadelphia, the number of cases have been increasing as well. In 2012, there were a total of 269 cases of syphilis reported. In 2014, there were a total of 308 cases of syphilis reported.³

In 2013, there were a total of 674 people in Philadelphia who were newly diagnosed with HIV. Men were more likely to be diagnosed with HIV accounting for 74.3% of all cases reported in Philadelphia. The largest at-risk group for HIV in the area were black people, who accounted for 74.1% of all cases reported. The most common mode of transmission was in men who have sex with men (MSM), which accounted for 35% of all cases reported. HIV was most commonly reported in patients between the ages of 30 and 39.^{3, 4} The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend screening for HIV at least once for all people between the ages of 13 and 64.⁵

STDs and Sexual Education in Philadelphia, PA

The Pennsylvania Department of Education has created a standardized curriculum for all school districts in the state, including the school districts of Philadelphia, known as "Academic Standards for Health, Safety, and Physical Education." This curriculum does include sections on sexual health education, as well as section on STD/HIV prevention education. School districts are not limited to this standardized curriculum but may also choose to expand upon it. If a school district does expand beyond the state authored guidelines, they must maintain that all information given is both medically accurate and age-appropriate. Parents and guardians of students have the right to review all course materials and information. They further have the right to remove their student from any sexual health education program, which is known as the state opt-out policy.⁶

In Philadelphia, high school aged people who are sexually active account for a large number of reported STD cases. People between the age of 15 and 19 are the second largest group to report chlamydia and gonorrhea in the city. Women between the ages of 15 and 19 are a much larger at-risk group than men of the same age.³ The CDC recommends that all women under the age of 25 be tested regularly for chlamydia. Additionally, it suggests that all women with multiple partners, regardless of age, should also be tested.⁵

STDs and Demographics in Philadelphia, PA

Chlamydia is the most commonly reported STD in Philadelphia. In 2014, there were a total of 18,935 cases of chlamydia reported in the city. Women are more likely to be diagnosed with a chlamydia infection than men in Philadelphia. Women accounted for 65% of all chlamydia cases reported. Chlamydia was most commonly reported in people between the ages of 15 and 24. Gonorrhea reports have decreased over the past few years in Philadelphia. In 2014, there were a total of 5,961 cases of gonorrhea reported in the city. Men were more likely to report gonorrhea as they accounted for 55% of all cases reported in the city. Gonorrhea was most commonly reported in people between the ages of 15 and 29.³

In Philadelphia, the number of syphilis cases has increased over the years. In 2014, there were a total of 308 cases of syphilis reported in the city. Men were significantly more likely to report a case of syphilis in Philadelphia. Syphilis most commonly appeared in men who have sex with other men (MSM). Syphilis was most commonly reported in people over the age of 25.³ The CDC recommends screenings at least once a year for syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhea for all sexually active gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM). They further recommend annual testing for any women who may be below the age of 25 or engage in unsafe sex or sex with multiple partners.⁵

Your Best Philadelphia, PA STD Testing Option

Philadelphia offers its residents and visitors many options for STD treatment and testing. If you are concerned that you may have been exposed to an STD in Pennsylvania, getting tested is simple, affordable and confidential with STDTestExpress.com. To get started, answer a few brief medical questions to receive a personal test recommendation from our doctors. From there, you can pick a lab to visit from our vast network of locations throughout your area. If available in your area, In-Home Collection even allows you to be tested at home, work or another convenient location. For both options, your results are usually available within 3 business days or less. Our medical staff is available to answer any questions you have and prescription services are available if allowed by state law. It is just that simple to go and get tested today.

Not insured? Looking for a lower cost testing option? Find information on free STD testing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.