Free STD Testing Clinics in Petal, MS

STD Testing in Petal, Mississippi (Forrest County)

Petal, like many cities or towns in Mississippi, is monitoring a significant but often overlooked public health issue—sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Just like in other parts of Mississippi, the rates of infections of syphilis, gonorrhea, HIV and chlamydia in Petal need to be watched. According to the CDC’s most recent STD Surveillance Report in 2022, individuals aged 20-24 remain the most affected group across the country. Petal, with its young population and proximity to universities such as the University of Mississippi, with 34,000 students, and Mississippi State University, with 29,000 students, is not immune to these infections.

In 2022 alone, Forrest County, Mississippi's population of approximately 78,208, reported nearly 384 cases of gonorrhea and over 798 cases of chlamydia, ranking 6th and 5th respectively in the state. This reflects a growing need for prevention, education, and accessible testing. Forrest County also reported 19 new cases of HIV in 2022, with a rate of 28.9 per 100,000.

Fortunately, residents of Petal have access to a variety of low-cost or affordable STD testing options and information provided by local clinics and the Mississippi Department of Health. You can reach out to Mississippi State Department of Health (Forrest County Health Department) at 300 Klondyke St or AIDS Services Coalition (ASC Outreach Center) at 103 Broad St, and learn more about their testing capabilities and costs. Early detection through regular testing is key to managing and preventing the spread of these infections.

For those who test positive, timely treatment can often cure infections like syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia. For others, like herpes or HIV, effective treatments can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life. Addressing this issue through awareness and healthcare access remains essential for safeguarding the health of Petal's residents.

STD Testing Locations in Petal, MS

Mississippi State Department of Health (Forrest County Health Department)

Testing Offered: Gonorrhea Test Syphilis Test Chlamydia Test Conventional HIV Test

300 Klondyke St, Hattiesburg, MS 39401 US

(601) 583-0291

https://msdh.ms.gov/page/19,866,166.html#Forrest

Monday: 8:00am To 5:00pm, Tuesday: 8:00am To 5:00pm, Wednesday: 8:00am To 5:00pm, Thursday: 8:00am To 5:00pm, Friday: 8:00am To 5:00pm

AIDS Services Coalition (ASC Outreach Center)

Testing Offered: Rapid HIV Test

103 Broad St, Ste B Hattiesburg, MS 39401 US

(601) 450-4286

https://ascms.net/

Southeast Mississippi Rural Health Initiative (Hattiesburg Family Health Center)

Testing Offered: Hepatitis C Test Hepatitis B Test Gonorrhea Test Syphilis Test Herpes Test Chlamydia Test Rapid HIV Test Conventional HIV Test

66 Old Airport Rd, Hattiesburg, MS 39401 US

(601) 544-7500

https://www.semrhi.com/clinic/hattiesburg-family-health-center/

Monday: 8:00am To 5:30pm, Tuesday: 8:00am To 5:30pm, Wednesday: 8:00am To 5:30pm, Thursday: 8:00am To 5:30pm, Friday: 8:00am To 5:30pm

Open Arms Healthcare Center (Hattiesburg Clinic)

Testing Offered: Hepatitis A Test Hepatitis B Test Gonorrhea Test Syphilis Test Chlamydia Test Rapid HIV Test

1711 Hardy St, Hattiesburg, MS 39401 US

(601) 582-0031

https://www.oahcc.org/hattiesburg

Monday: 8:00am To 5:00pm, Tuesday: 8:00am To 5:00pm, Wednesday: 8:00am To 5:00pm, Thursday: 8:00am To 5:00pm, Friday: 8:00am To 5:00pm

Planned Parenthood Southeast Incorporated (Hattiesburg Health Center)

Testing Offered: Gonorrhea Test Syphilis Test Herpes Test Chlamydia Test Conventional HIV Test

314 S 25th Ave, Hattiesburg, MS 39401 US

(404) 688-9300

https://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-center/mississippi/hattiesburg/39401/hattiesburg-center-4078-90330

Monday: 8:00am To 4:00pm, Tuesday: 9:00am To 4:00pm, Wednesday: 8:00am To 4:00pm, Thursday: 9:00am To 4:00pm, Friday: 9:00am To 4:00pm

Southeast Mississippi Rural Health Initiative (Minor Care Clinic)

Testing Offered: Hepatitis C Test Hepatitis B Test Gonorrhea Test Syphilis Test Herpes Test Chlamydia Test Conventional HIV Test

123 S 27th Ave, Hattiesburg, MS 39401 US

(601) 450-3030

https://www.semrhi.com

Monday: 9:00am To 9:00pm, Tuesday: 9:00am To 9:00pm, Wednesday: 9:00am To 9:00pm, Thursday: 9:00am To 9:00pm, Friday: 9:00am To 9:00pm, Saturday: 9:00am To 9:00pm, Sunday: 9:00am To 9:00pm

Southern Medical Care

Testing Offered: Gonorrhea Test Syphilis Test Chlamydia Test Conventional HIV Test

6600 US Hwy 98, Ste B Hattiesburg, MS 39402 US

(601) 261-2727

https://smc-hattiesburg.com/

Monday: 8:00am To 5:00pm, Tuesday: 8:00am To 5:00pm, Wednesday: 8:00am To 5:00pm, Thursday: 8:00am To 5:00pm, Friday: 8:00am To 2:00pm, Saturday: 9:00am To 12:00pm

Mississippi State Department of Health (Perry County Health Department)

Testing Offered: Gonorrhea Test Syphilis Test Chlamydia Test Conventional HIV Test

102 Main St, New Augusta, MS 39462 US

(601) 964-3288

https://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/_static/19,866,166.html#Perry

Tuesday: 8:30am To 4:30pm, Friday: 8:30am To 4:30pm

STD Testing Options in Petal, Mississippi

In Petal there are many options for STD testing;

Private Clinic:
Checking out a private clinic is a reliable method for getting tested for STDs in Petal, Mississippi. This choice has its advantages because you don’t require an appointment, the tests cover a range of infections, there are over 6,000 locations across the country, and results come back within 1-2 days. Your privacy is fully protected.

Local Clinics:
Petal, Mississippi has clinics that offer low cost or free STD testing services. Appointments may be necessary, and the timing for receiving results can vary. It’s advisable to contact them for information on costs, operating hours and appointment procedures.

At-Home STD Testing:
Opting for at-home STD testing kits offers a convenient and private way to conduct your std tests. You can purchase a kit online or from stores/pharmacies in Petal, Mississippi, collect your sample in the comfort of your home and send it to a lab for analysis. The process can take up to 10 days with some companies offering different test panels vs. others.

At-Home STD Testing Kits

You can opt for at home STD testing kits as they provide a convenient and private method to screen for sexually transmitted infections without the need to visit a clinic. These kits are perfect for individuals who prefer managing their health from the comfort of their home.

How It Works:

Select Your Kit: Pick a kit either online or at a Petal, Mississippi store depending on the infections you wish to screen for. Some kits target infections such as syphilis while others offer a wider panel, for testing multiple STIs.
Collect Your Sample: Follow the instructions to collect a sample – this could involve providing urine, a finger-prick blood sample, or using a swab on the genitals, throat, or rectum.
Send It In: Use the prepaid envelope to send your sample to the lab.
Receive Results: Get your results within a few days through a secure online portal, phone, or app.
Next Steps: After receiving a test result various services are available to provide assistance, such as consultations with healthcare experts, treatment choices or recommendations for care. It is advisable to schedule a follow up appointment with your primary healthcare provider for further consultation and guidance.

Why Choose At-Home Testing Kits:

Privacy: Test at home without visiting a clinic.
Convenience: No need for appointments or travel.

Things to Consider:

Panel Size: Ensure the kit covers all the STIs you want to test for.
Speed: Taking the test(s) and mail time may delay results vs. clinic options.

What STDs Can You Get Tested For?

Knowing which STD tests are necessary is important for your well-being. Viral infections are chronic and can be managed with available medications and therapies. Bacterial infections may require retesting to ensure that treatments have been effective as expected.

STD	Type of Infection	How It’s Tested	When to Restest
Oral Herpes	Viral	Swab of a sore, culture, or blood test	N/A (lifelong infection)
Genital Herpes	Viral	Swab of a sore, culture, or blood test	N/A (lifelong infection)
HIV	Viral	Blood test	N/A (lifelong infection)
Gonorrhea	Bacterial	Blood, swab, or urine tests	3 Months post treatment
Chlamydia	Bacterial	Blood, swab, or urine tests	2 Weeks post treatment
Syphilis	Bacterial	Blood tests	3 Months post treatment
Hepatitis A	Viral	Blood test	N/A (lifelong infection)
Hepatitis B	Viral	Blood test	N/A (lifelong infection)
Hepatitis C	Viral	Blood test	N/A (lifelong infection)
Trichomoniasis	Parasitic	Urine test	2 Weeks post treatment

STD Testing FAQ’s for Petal, Mississippi

How do I know if I have an STD?

When should you test for STDs?

What do STD test panels test for?

How much do STD tests cost in Petal?

Can you get same-day STD tests in Petal?

How fast do you get STD test results in Petal?

Are appointments needed for STD testing in Petal?

How do I know if I have an STD?

If you’ve been sexually active, it’s important for your sexual health to know if you have an STD. You may experience some of the more common symptoms if you have an infection:

Unusual discharge from the penis or vagina.
Pain or a burning sensation during urination or sex.
Sores, bumps, or rashes in the genital area, mouth, or anus.
Persistent itching in the genital area.
Swelling or redness in the genital area.

It’s critical to know that many STDs can be asymptomatic, with some diseases up to 80% being undetected per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO). To avoid worsening symptoms or infecting partners, get tested for confirmation. Positive test results are really the only true way of determining an infection. Regular testing is crucial, especially if you have multiple partners or are engaging in unprotected sex.

When should you test for STDs?

STD	Incubation Period After Exposure
Oral Herpes	2–12 days
Genital Herpes	2–12 days
HIV	2–4 weeks
Gonorrhea	2-7 days
Chlamydia	7–21 days
Syphilis	10 – 90 days
Hepatitis A	15–50 days
Hepatitis B	4–25 weeks
Hepatitis C	2 weeks – 6 months
Trichomoniasis (Trich)	5–28 days

What do STD test panels test for?

The most comprehensive 10-test panel will provide a confirmation of infection status across different bacterial or viral diseases, including HIV type 1 & type 2 antibody/antigen (4th gen), herpes type 1 & type 2, hepatitis A, hepatitis B & hepatitis C, chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis.

How much do STD tests cost in Petal?

STD testing costs can vary widely in Petal based on the type of test(s) you purchase, speed of results and appointment times, and location.

Private STD testing offers walk-in appointments, comprehensive test panels and fast results. You can expect to pay no more than $250 to get a 10-test panel in Petal. Results are delivered quickly, within 1-2 days.

At-home testing is also an option, with popular online manufacturers offering test panels for up to $350. The primary benefit of this option is testing in the convenience of your own home. Simple blood tests, urine samples or swaps are taken and mailed back to the lab. Results are typically available in 7-10+ days.

Local low-cost or potentially free clinics also are available. However, these locations may require appointments, may not test for all STDs and are not as immediate as private testing.

Can you get same-day STD tests in Petal?

Yes! Private testing offers same-day, no appointment necessary STI testing in Petal. Once you purchase your selected tests (no doctor script required), you can just walk into the private lab with your order.

How fast do you get STD test results in Petal?

STD test result times will vary based on the type of test. Private STD testing in Petal will deliver results within 1-2 days. At-home test results could be 7+ days, and local clinics will vary based on a number of factors.

Are appointments needed for STD testing in Petal?

If you choose private STD testing as your preferred option, you don’t need an appointment to get your testing done. Just purchase the order and walk into one of the 5,000+ CLIA-Certified labs across the United States.

Local STD clinics may require appointments and should be checked on a case-by-case basis. At-home tests are also an option. Both will likely take longer to test and receive your results.

Sources

CDC – https://www.cdc.gov/sti/
WHO – https://www.who.int/health-topics/sexually-transmitted-infections#tab=tab_1
WebMD – https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/oral-herpes
National Institutes of Health – https://hivinfo.nih.gov/understanding-hiv/fact-sheets/stages-hiv-infection
Medscape – https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/218059-clinical?form=fpf
Iowa.gov – https://hhs.iowa.gov/public-health/center-acute-disease-epidemiology/epi-manual/reportable-diseases/chlamydia
Minnesota Department of Health – https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/hepatitis

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STD Testing in Cities Near Petal, MS

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