Gonorrhea Testing near me in North Lauderdale, Florida

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. It's particularly important for 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, to get tested annually. Men who have sex with men should also be tested at least once a year.

Importance of getting tested

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease that can cause serious health problems if left untreated, including infertility in both men and women. In women, it can also lead to long-term abdominal pain and pelvic inflammatory disease, which can cause ectopic pregnancy. Men may experience painful conditions in the tubes attached to the testicles. In rare cases, gonorrhea can spread to the blood or joints, which can be life threatening. According to the CDC, getting tested is the only sure way to know if you have gonorrhea as many people with gonorrhea have no symptoms.

Gonorrhea testing options in North Lauderdale, FL:

Urgent care and walk-in clinics

Urgent care centers such as Carbon Health in Coral Springs and Plantation Urgent Care Center in Fort Lauderdale provide gonorrhea testing. These centers are a convenient option as they often offer same-day and next-day appointments, which can be booked through Solv's website and mobile app.

Primary care providers

Primary care providers also offer gonorrhea testing. If you have a regular doctor, they can be a good source of testing and treatment.

Free STD testing and community health centers

Community health centers such as Dykal Health And Wellness in Fort Lauderdale offer testing for gonorrhea and other STDs. These centers often offer free or low-cost testing, making them an accessible option for many people.

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.

Prevalence of gonorrhea in North Lauderdale

North Lauderdale, located in Broward County, has seen a steady increase in gonorrhea cases in recent years, mirroring a national trend. According to the CDC, Broward County reported higher rates of gonorrhea compared to nearby counties such as Volusia County, Seminole County, and Orange County.

Risk factors related to gonorrhea in North Lauderdale

Risk factors for gonorrhea in North Lauderdale include having multiple sex partners, having a partner with a past or current gonorrhea infection, and inconsistent condom use. Young people and men who have sex with men are particularly at risk.

Other STDs in North Lauderdale

In addition to gonorrhea, other common STDs in North Lauderdale include chlamydia, HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis. Like gonorrhea, these STDs can cause serious health problems if left untreated, and testing is the only sure way to know if you have an STD.