STDs are sexually transmitted diseases that are caused by microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, yeast, and parasites. They can lead to serious health conditions such as infertility if left untreated at an earlier stage of infection. Also, most of the STDs are asymptomatic in their earlier stages i.e. that there are no symptoms in the early stages of getting the infection. So we highly recommend every sexually active person to get tested for STD screening at least once a year or immediately after having unprotected sex.
The article below covers all the important topics that are relevant to sexually transmitted diseases in Florida including Miami.
- STD Testing Cost in Miami, Florida
- What are STDs?
- How are STDs Transmitted?
- Oral STD
- What are the most common STDs found in Florida?
- What are the signs and symptoms of STDs?
- How to check for STDs?
- Is there any preparation required before the STD testing?
- Where to get tested for STDs?
- STD treatment
- Is STD curable?
- What are the methods to prevent STDs?
For our readers, who are very much interested in knowing how to get tested for STD (including at-home STD test kit) and the STD testing cost in Florida including Miami, we would begin with that section.
How much does the STD testing cost in Florida including Miami?
STD testing cost ranges between $14 and $444 in different labs and facilities across Miami. The above-mentioned cost also depends on the choice of your specific STD testing (Chlamydia, Syphilis, Herpes, etc.) or testing for all the STDs (STD panel).
The following table shows the STD testing cost in Florida city by 3 of our partner labs (CLIA-Certified) networks located all over the US.
Name of our Partner Labs | Book Online |
STD Check Labs
| Starting from
|
LetsGetChecked(Home Test Kit)
| Starting from
|
HealthLabs
| Starting from$24 |
STD testing cost in Florida (including Miami) with insurance
Most of the health insurance companies in Florida (including Miami) do not cover the cost of STD screening tests. But they might cover the cost of the additional diagnostic tests performed. However, the coverage offered by private insurance companies and national health insurance programs like Medicare and Medicaid varies widely. So we recommend you to check the coverage of your plan before getting tested for STDs.
Our STD testing providers in Florida including Miami offer screening tests for all STDs and do not accept any kind of health insurance plan. But, on request, they can provide you with an itemized receipt containing all the details like the name and code of the test, and the CPT code that is necessary for insurance reimbursement purposes.
Planned Parenthood STD Testing Cost
It is quite difficult to get an estimate of the STD testing cost in Florida through Planned Parenthood. The cost depends on the individual center where you will go and depends on the income level of the person getting tested. It may involve some hassle and in the end, you may end up paying a lot for testing. We recommend the above three providers.
What are STDs and how are they transmitted?
STDs refer to Sexually Transmitted Diseases and are sometimes known as Venereal Diseases. Sexually transmitted diseases are infections caused by microorganisms that are spread through sexual contact. The microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, yeast, and parasites grow in the genital areas as they are moist and warm. There are more than 20 types of common sexually transmitted diseases such as Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Herpes, Hepatitis, HIV, Trichomoniasis, and HPV that affect both men and women.
STDs are generally transmitted through sexual contact including anal, vaginal, or oral sexual contact, with the infected person and sometimes through blood or skin contact. It is unlikely that you may get an STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection) when you come into close contact with moist objects like towels, wet clothing, or toilet seats of the affected person. A pregnant woman though can pass the disease to her child at birth.
Oral STD
An STD that is transmitted through oral sex is called oral STD. Oral sex is stimulating the genitals using the mouth or tongue. The most common oral STDs found in the U.S. are Gonorrhea (Clap STD), Syphilis, and Oral Herpes. Oral STDs usually affects the mouth and throat of men and women. Fever blisters and sore and painful throat are the common symptoms of oral STDs.
What are the most common STDs in Florida, U.S.?
The most common STDs found in Florida are
1. Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)
Bacterial vaginosis is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases in Miami, FL. It is a type of vaginal inflammation that occurs when the bacteria overgrows in the vagina disrupting the natural balance. Mostly it affects the women during their reproductive ages and its cause is not known to date. But, unprotected sex increases the risk of getting bacterial vaginosis. Most women do not experience any symptoms however the some of the common symptoms are
- Itchiness
- Foul-smelling vaginal odor
- Burning sensation while urinating
- Unusual vaginal discharge
Bacterial vaginosis can be treated with antibiotics at the early stage of infection. When it is left treated, it may lead to serious complications like preterm birth and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
2. Chlamydia
Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted disease and it is caused by a bacterium called Chlamydia trachomatis. It can be cured only if it is diagnosed and treated at an earlier stage of infection. Some people may get this infection in their eyes which is called Eye Chlamydia. This happens when you touch your eyes without washing your hands after sex. Chlamydia-infected people do not experience any kind of symptoms for several weeks but Chlamydia, at the advanced stage can damage the reproductive system resulting in pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility in both men and women. Some of the common symptoms of Chlamydia infection are
- Unusual genital discharges
- Frequent urination
- Pain while urinating
- Excess vaginal bleeding in women
3. Syphilis
Syphilis, caused by the bacterium called Treponema pallidum is one of the most rising STDs in Miami. Generally, men having sex with men are more vulnerable to syphilis infection. This infection occurs in four stages namely the primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary (advanced) stage. The primary and secondary stages of Syphilis infection are the most infectious while the latent stage does not show any symptoms as the bacteria remain hidden or inactive. The tertiary stage is the last and advanced stage which is dangerous and life-threatening.
In the primary stage, a painless sore called chancre appears on the moist genital areas and rectum indicating that bacterium has entered into the body. Symptoms vary depending on the different stages of infection. The primary and secondary stages of Syphilis infection can be easily cured with a penicillin injection. The tertiary stage may lead to death causing neurological damages and some problems in the eyes and heart.
People with Syphilis infection are at a greater risk of getting HIV infection. Other than sores, there are some common symptoms found in syphilis infected people. They are
- Headache
- Loss of hair
- Fatigue and tiredness
- Pain in the joints
- Neurological and muscular disorders
- Blindness
- Deafness
- Paralysis
4. Herpes
Herpes is a viral infection caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV). There are two types of herpes infection called Oral Herpes (HSV 1) and Genital Herpes (HSV 2). Oral herpes is the most common herpes that is found in most Americans. It affects the mouth and face while genital herpes infects the genital areas. Sharing lip balm, and eating in the same utensils are some of the reasons for getting exposed to oral herpes. Genital herpes gets transmitted when you have unsafe sex with the infected person.
Herpes cannot be completely cured but the symptoms can be monitored, controlled, and managed. The following are the symptoms found in Herpes infected persons.
- Blister
- Ulcer
- Pain during urination
- Vaginal discharges
- Lymph nodes
- Headaches
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
What are the symptoms of STDs in men and women?
Most people with an STI do not show or experience any signs or symptoms at the earlier stage of infection. So we recommend every sexually active young person to consult a physician if you suspect of having an STD or feeling the possibility of being exposed to it. Some of the common STD symptoms in men and women are
Symptoms in women
- Abnormal vaginal discharge
- Pain while urinating
- Painful sexual intercourse
- Pain in the back or lower abdomen
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
Symptoms in men
- Dark penile discharge
- Burning sensation during urination
- Swelling and pain in the testicles
- Anal itching
- Irritation in the penis
- Painful and irregular bowel movements
Common symptoms
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fever
- Headache
- Joint pain
- Jaundice
- Diarrhea
- Cough
- Unusual sweat during the night
- Fatigue
- Soreness in throat
How to check for STDs?
There are different tests available to check for sexually transmitted diseases. To get tested for STDs, your concerned physician may ask you to take a specific test depending on the sexual medical history you have and the symptoms you experience. You may be asked to take a blood or a urine sample or a sample is taken using a cotton swab in the infected area such as mouth, throat, vagina, anus or penis.
The right time to test for STDs
For more accurate results, physicians recommend waiting for at least a week after the initial exposure but it also depends on the type of infection. Because some STDs like Chlamydia and Gonorrhea can be tested after a week of infection whereas HIV requires a minimum window period of 2 months to get tested. This window period is to ensure an accurate diagnosis.
Is there any preparation required before the STD testing?
No special preparation is required before the STD testing that requires a blood sample. Only STDs such as Chlamydia and Gonorrhea will require a urine sample. For taking the urine sample, it is compulsory to abstain from urinating for at least an hour before taking the sample. But there is no constraint on the diet.
Where to get tested for STDs?
You can get tested for STDs anywhere in Miami, and the rest of Florida, near you. You can book your test online, visit the nearest lab anytime during the lab working hours without any prior appointment. After you have taken the test, the test results will be confidentially emailed to you within 2 to 3 business days.
You can also get tested for STDs at your home using the STD home test kit, if you do not have time to visit the lab or if you feel inconvenient in taking the STD test at a commonplace i.e. STD clinic.
You can order your STD home test kit online, take the required sample by reading the instructions mentioned in the kit, and post the sample back to the given address. The test results will be emailed to you within 3 to 5 working days. However, the turnaround of results depends on the receipt of the sample in the lab.
How are STDs treated?
STDs can be treated using antibiotics and antiviral drugs at their earlier stages of infection. Penicillin injection can be used to treat syphilis infection. It is very important to consume all the antibiotics prescribed by the physician even after you do not experience any symptoms. In the case of incurable STDs, anti-retroviral drugs are used to control and manage the symptoms.
Are STDs curable?
Many STDs are curable and manageable if detected at the right time. Hence it is important to be tested on time. Bacteria causing STDs like Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Syphilis can be cured at their earlier stages of infection. Viral infections like HIV, Herpes, and Hepatitis cannot be cured completely but can be controlled and managed. Once these viruses enter the body, they stay with you forever.
What are the methods to prevent STDs?
- Regular vaccinations and routine STD checks
- Practicing monogamy – not having sex with strangers or people other than your husband/wife
- Not sharing any towels and underclothing
To prevent reinfection, we recommend you do a follow-up check after 1 month of your past treatment and never practice sex until you get cured completely.
Providers Locations
STD tests can be done in any of the following states either at the provider’s location or home. To know the STD test cost in these locations, refer to the first section of this article.
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Puerto Rico
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
Will insurance cover my testing cost?
No, insurance will not be covered in the billing. However, they will provide you a receipt for insurance reimbursement purposes.
How should I book my appointment?
You can choose the most suitable provider from above and make an appointment by following the instructions mentioned by them.
Can I cancel my lab test order?
Yes, you can cancel your lab test order anytime before your testing. A refund will be initiated after deducting the cancellation fee. However, cancellation is at the discretion of the provider.
Do the providers offer result interpretations?
Yes, a few providers may provide doctor consultation who will take you through the results and provide clarification if needed.
How do I receive my report?
To ensure your privacy, the test report will be mailed to you by the provider.
Other topics you may be interested in:-
- STD Testing Cost in the US
- AMH Test Cost in the US
- TSH Test Cost in the US
- CBC Test Cost in the US
- STD Testing Las Vegas
- Planned Parenthood STD Testing Cost
- Blood in Urine STDs
- At-Home Chlamydia Testing Cost in the US
- Causes of Bruising on Skin & Other STD Symptoms
- HIV RNA Early Detection Test Cost in the US
- Causes of Penile Rashes and Other STD Symptoms in Men
- HPV in Women: Symptoms, Genital Warts, Treatment and More
- Types of STDs That Cause Mouth Sores Symptoms in Men and Women
