Gonorrhea Testing near me in Edgewood, Maryland

Who should get tested for gonorrhea?

According to the CDC, anyone who is sexually active can get gonorrhea, but it's most commonly found among young people aged 15-24 years. If you're sexually active and in this age range, it's recommended to get tested. Additionally, if you have had unprotected sex, have a new partner, or have multiple partners, you should consider getting tested. It's also important for pregnant women to get tested, as gonorrhea can be passed to a baby during childbirth.

Importance of getting tested

Getting tested for gonorrhea is crucial as it can cause serious health problems if left untreated. In women, it can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, which can result in infertility and ectopic pregnancy. In men, it can cause painful conditions in the tubes attached to the testicles and can lead to sterility. Furthermore, gonorrhea can increase your risk of getting or transmitting HIV. Regular testing allows for early detection and treatment, preventing these complications.

Gonorrhea testing options in Edgewood, MD:

Urgent care and walk-in clinics

Edgewood has several urgent care and walk-in clinics that offer gonorrhea testing. For instance, Lucielle Urgent Care in nearby Towson, MD, is a highly-rated clinic with short wait times and friendly staff. You can book same-day and next-day testing appointments through Solv’s website and mobile app.

Primary care providers

Primary care providers are also a good option for gonorrhea testing. They can provide you with a comprehensive sexual health check-up, including gonorrhea testing. AllCare Primary & Immediate Care in Baltimore, MD, is a highly-rated primary care provider in the area.

Free STD testing and community health centers

There are also free STD testing and community health centers in and around Edgewood. These centers provide free or low-cost testing services, making it accessible for everyone.

At-home testing

At-home testing is another convenient option. These tests can be ordered online, done in the privacy of your own home, and then sent to a lab for analysis.

Prevalence of gonorrhea in Edgewood

While specific data for Edgewood is not readily available, Harford County, where Edgewood is located, has seen an increase in gonorrhea cases in recent years, according to the CDC. This trend mirrors that of the national data, which has also seen a rise in gonorrhea cases. It's important to note that the actual number of cases may be higher, as many cases go unreported due to lack of symptoms.

Risk factors related to gonorrhea in Edgewood

The risk factors for gonorrhea in Edgewood are similar to those nationwide. These include being sexually active, having multiple sexual partners, having a new sexual partner, not using a condom during sex, and being a man who has sex with men.

Other STDs in Edgewood

In addition to gonorrhea, other STDs such as chlamydia, HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis are also prevalent in Edgewood. Just like with gonorrhea, regular testing is crucial for early detection and treatment of these STDs. Testing locations such as Ouch! Urgent Care in Elkridge, MD, offer comprehensive STD testing services.