Gonorrhea Testing near me in North Branch, Minnesota

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 individuals aged 15 to 24 years old. Those with multiple sexual partners or those who don't use a condom consistently should consider getting tested. It's also recommended for men who have sex with men, and pregnant women, as the infection can be passed to the baby during childbirth.

Importance of getting tested

Getting tested for gonorrhea is crucial because it often shows no symptoms, especially in women. If left untreated, it can lead to serious health complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease in women and epididymitis in men, both of which can cause infertility. Furthermore, having gonorrhea increases the risk of getting or transmitting HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

Gonorrhea testing options in North Branch, MN:

Urgent care and walk-in clinics

Urgent care and walk-in clinics provide immediate access to gonorrhea testing. Braham Medical Clinic in nearby Braham, MN is one such location where you can get tested. Through Solv, you can book same-day and next-day testing appointments.

Primary care providers

Your primary care provider can also test for gonorrhea. If you don't have a primary care provider, Solv can help you find one and book an appointment.

Free STD testing and community health centers

Community health centers often offer free or low-cost testing for gonorrhea and other STDs. It's important to check with the center beforehand to confirm their services and costs.

At-home testing

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

Prevalence of gonorrhea in North Branch

While specific data for North Branch is not readily available, Anoka County, where North Branch is located, reported a gonorrhea rate of 97.5 cases per 100,000 population in 2019, according to the CDC. This is lower than the national average of 148.8 cases per 100,000 population.

Risk factors related to gonorrhea in North Branch

Risk factors for gonorrhea in North Branch are similar to those nationwide. These include being sexually active, having multiple sexual partners, inconsistent condom use, and being a man who has sex with men.

Other STDs in North Branch

In addition to gonorrhea, other common STDs include chlamydia, HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis. In Anoka County, chlamydia is the most commonly reported STD, with a rate of 326.6 cases per 100,000 population in 2019. The rates for HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis are significantly lower. As with gonorrhea, testing is available for these STDs at local clinics, primary care providers, community health centers, and through at-home testing kits.