Gonorrhea Testing near me in Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Who should get tested for gonorrhea?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), anyone who is sexually active can get gonorrhea, but it's most commonly found among young people aged 15-24 years old. If you have had unprotected sex, have a new sexual partner, or have multiple sexual partners, you should consider getting tested. The CDC recommends 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, should get tested for gonorrhea every year. 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 it can lead to serious health problems if left untreated, including pelvic inflammatory disease in women and epididymitis in men, both of which can cause infertility. Gonorrhea can also increase your risk of getting or giving HIV. Testing is the only sure way to know if you have gonorrhea as many people with gonorrhea do not have any symptoms.

Gonorrhea testing options in Chapel Hill, NC:

Urgent care and walk-in clinics

Urgent care and walk-in clinics provide convenient, same-day testing for gonorrhea. Carolina Urgent Care, located at 1840 M.L.K. Jr Blvd, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, is a highly rated option with a short wait time and friendly staff.

Primary care providers

Primary care providers can also test for gonorrhea. If you have a primary care provider, you can schedule an appointment for testing. If you don't have a primary care provider, Solv can help you find one in your area.

Free STD testing and community health centers

There are also free STD testing and community health centers in Chapel Hill and nearby areas that offer gonorrhea testing. These centers provide testing at no cost, regardless of your ability to pay.

At-home testing

At-home testing kits for gonorrhea are also available. These kits allow you to collect a sample at home and send it to a lab for testing. Results are typically available within a few days.

Prevalence of gonorrhea in Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, located in Orange County, NC, has seen a rise in gonorrhea cases in recent years, mirroring a national trend. According to the CDC, gonorrhea rates have increased significantly across the United States, and Orange County is no exception.

Risk factors related to gonorrhea in Chapel Hill

Risk factors for gonorrhea in Chapel Hill include being sexually active, especially with multiple partners, and not using barrier methods of contraception consistently and correctly. Young people, particularly those aged 15-24, are at higher risk.

Other STDs in Chapel Hill

In addition to gonorrhea, other STDs including chlamydia, HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis are also prevalent in Chapel Hill. Testing for these STDs is also available at the locations mentioned above.

Remember, testing is the only way to know for sure if you have an STD. If you're sexually active, regular testing should be part of your routine healthcare. You can book same-day and next-day testing appointments through Solv’s website and mobile app.