Gonorrhea Testing near me in Arlington Heights, Illinois

Who should get tested for gonorrhea?

According to the CDC, anyone who is sexually active can get gonorrhea, but it's particularly common among young people aged 15-24 years. It's recommended that sexually active women under 25, as well as older women with risk factors such as new or multiple sex partners, or a sex partner who has a sexually transmitted infection, get tested for gonorrhea annually. Men who have sex with men should also get tested at least once a year.

Importance of getting tested

Getting tested for gonorrhea is crucial as the infection often shows no symptoms, particularly in women, and can lead to serious health problems if left untreated, such as pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, and an increased risk of getting HIV. According to the CDC, gonorrhea can also spread to your blood or joints, which can be life-threatening. Furthermore, an infected person can easily spread the infection to their sexual partners.

Gonorrhea testing options in Arlington Heights, IL:

Urgent care and walk-in clinics

There are several urgent care and walk-in clinics in Arlington Heights, IL that offer gonorrhea testing. For instance, Rapid Immediate Care in Hoffman Estates, IL, and Midwest Express Clinic in Northbrook, IL, both offer STD testing services. You can book same-day and next-day appointments through Solv’s website and mobile app.

Primary care providers

Primary care providers can also test for gonorrhea. If you have a regular doctor, they can be a good option for STD testing. They can also discuss your results and treatment options with you in detail.

Free STD testing and community health centers

There are also community health centers in and around Arlington Heights that offer free or low-cost STD testing. These centers provide confidential testing and treatment, and some may offer same-day appointments.

At-home testing

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

Prevalence of gonorrhea in Arlington Heights

Arlington Heights is part of Cook County, which has seen a rise in gonorrhea cases over recent years, according to the CDC. This trend aligns with national data, which shows an increase in gonorrhea cases across the United States. However, the rate of gonorrhea in Cook County is lower than in some nearby counties, such as Fulton County and Williams County.

Risk factors related to gonorrhea in Arlington Heights

Risk factors for gonorrhea include being sexually active, having multiple sexual partners, and not using condoms consistently. Young people, particularly those aged 15-24, are at higher risk. Men who have sex with men are also at higher risk.

Other STDs in Arlington Heights

In addition to gonorrhea, other common STDs in Arlington Heights include chlamydia, HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis. Like gonorrhea, these STDs can often be asymptomatic, making regular testing important for anyone who is sexually active. The same testing locations mentioned above, such as Rapid Immediate Care and Midwest Express Clinic, also offer testing for these other STDs.