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Same-Day STD Testing in St. Louis: Rapid Tests and Quick Results

Updated · Sources are cited in the text

Same-Day STD Testing in St. Louis: Rapid Tests and Quick Results

This page is general health information, not medical advice. It cannot tell you whether you have an infection. A clinician can, and the testing options on this site are a good place to start.

Wanting answers fast is normal. Waiting is stressful, and many people would rather know where they stand today.

Some STI tests can give a result during your visit. Others have to go to a lab and take days. This guide explains which is which, how to plan a visit in St. Louis, and what to expect while you wait.

It is written for everyone, whatever your gender, orientation or relationship status. Testing is routine health care.

The short answer on same-day testing

Same-day testing in St. Louis mostly means rapid HIV testing. The City of St. Louis Health Stop Testing and Referral Center says rapid tests take about 15 minutes. Planned Parenthood Great Rivers is listed in the CDC's GetTested directory as offering a rapid HIV test.

Most other STI tests do not give an answer in the room. Chlamydia and gonorrhea tests usually go to a lab. Syphilis is often a blood test that also goes to a lab. The Health Stop page lists a finger-prick option for syphilis, but it gives a results timeline of 5 to 7 business days for STI results overall. If you want a quick syphilis result, ask the clinic what it can do on the day.

So "same day" can mean two different things. It can mean you get tested the same day you show up. Or it can mean you get your result the same day. The first is often possible. The second applies to only a few tests.

Which tests can give quick results, and which cannot

Tests that may give a result during your visit

  • Rapid HIV tests. These use a finger-prick or an oral swab. The Health Stop lists results in about 15 minutes.
  • Rapid hepatitis C tests. The Health Stop lists a hepatitis C finger-prick test. Ask whether you will get that result before you leave.

Tests that usually take days

  • Chlamydia and gonorrhea. The CDC STI Treatment Guidelines (2021) recommend nucleic acid amplification tests, called NAATs, for these infections. A sample goes to a lab. Turnaround depends on the lab. Some clinics report one to three days. The Health Stop gives 5 to 7 business days for STI results.
  • Syphilis. This is usually a blood test sent to a lab. Ask your clinic whether a faster option is offered that day.
  • Herpes blood tests. Planned Parenthood Great Rivers is listed in the CDC GetTested directory as offering herpes testing. Lab results take time. Ask the clinic whether herpes testing is right for your situation.

How long do STD test results take?

The honest answer is that it depends on the test and the clinic. Here is a general picture, using what St. Louis sources publish.

TestTypical waitSource or note
Rapid HIV testAbout 15 minutesCity of St. Louis Health Stop page
Chlamydia and gonorrhea (urine, mouth swab or rectal swab)Often a few days at many clinics; 5 to 7 business days at the Health StopHealth Stop page; ask your clinic
Syphilis (blood or finger-prick)Health Stop lists 5 to 7 business days for STI resultsAsk whether a faster option is offered
Other clinicsNot publishedCall the clinic and ask

If a clinic's page does not list a turnaround time, that is not a sign of a problem. It just means you should ask when you call.

What you need before you go

Materials checklist

  • A phone number you can answer. Clinics often use it for results or follow-up.
  • A list of your questions. Write them down so you do not forget them.
  • A rough timeline. Note when you last had a possible exposure and when any symptoms began. A clinician uses this to choose tests.
  • Insurance information, if you have it. The Health Stop says no ID is necessary and there is no cost. Other clinics may ask for insurance details or offer a sliding scale.
  • A list of any medicines you take. Include anything you take for HIV prevention.
  • About an hour of time. Rapid tests are quick, but check-in and counseling add time.

For urine tests, some clinics ask you not to urinate for a while before your visit. Ask when you call.

Step-by-step: how to get tested quickly in St. Louis

Step 1: Decide what you want to be tested for

Think about what is on your mind. Many people ask for HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis together. Tell the clinician about the kinds of sex you have, such as vaginal, anal or oral. This matters because samples may be taken from the throat, rectum or urine.

You do not have to explain or justify anything. A clinician can help you choose tests based on the CDC STI Treatment Guidelines (2021).

Step 2: Pick a clinic that fits your schedule

St. Louis has city and county health departments. The City of St. Louis is an independent city, so the City of St. Louis Department of Health and the St. Louis County Department of Public Health are separate agencies. Here are the options with the most useful information for a quick visit.

  • City of St. Louis Health Stop Testing and Referral Center. 1520 Market St, Suite 1625 (first floor), St. Louis, MO 63103. Phone 314-657-1584. The city page says testing is free and no ID is necessary. Hours are Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. It is closed Fridays and city holidays. The city page says walk-ins are subject to availability. The CDC's GetTested listing says an appointment is required, so a quick call can save you a trip. Tests listed include HIV, hepatitis C, gonorrhea, chlamydia and syphilis. Free HIV self-test kits are also listed.
  • Saint Louis County Sexual Health Clinic. 4000 Jennings Station Road, St. Louis, MO. Phone 314-615-9736. A listing from WashU Infectious Diseases says it is walk-in only, with no appointments, and that everyone is welcome regardless of where they live or their insurance status. The listing says it offers STI prevention, testing and treatment. It does not publish hours or costs, so call before you go.
  • WashU Infectious Diseases, Village Square Clinic. 1 Village Square Shopping Center, Suite 1, Hazelwood, MO 63042. Phone 314-362-9098. A May 2024 WashU news article describes a CDC-funded expansion aimed at walk-in testing at no or low cost for anyone, with treatment for walk-in patients and their partners. Service details were still being worked out when that article ran, and no walk-in hours are published. Confirm by phone.
  • Planned Parenthood Great Rivers, Central West End Health Center. 4251 Forest Park Ave, Saint Louis, MO 63108. Phone 314-531-7526. The CDC GetTested listing shows rapid HIV testing, blood-draw HIV testing, and tests for herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis. It lists a sliding scale and says an appointment is required.
  • CareSTL Health, Dr. Martin Luther King Health Center. 5471 Dr Martin Luther King Dr, Saint Louis, MO 63112. Phone 314-367-5820. The CDC GetTested listing shows HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis tests, a sliding scale, and an appointment requirement.

For the full local list, with costs and what to expect, see STD testing in St. Louis: where to get tested and what it costs. You can also search the CDC's directory at gettested.cdc.gov.

Step 3: Call ahead to confirm

Hours, walk-in policies and test menus can change. A short call helps you confirm four things:

  1. Do they take walk-ins today, or do you need an appointment?
  2. Which tests can they do on site?
  3. Which results come back during the visit, and which come later?
  4. What will it cost, if anything?

The Health Stop line, 314-657-1584, also helps with scheduling, results questions and linkage to care. The Department of Health main line is 314-612-5100.

Step 4: Plan around the hours

The Health Stop is open Monday to Thursday and closed Fridays. It also closes from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. If you want a result the same day, aim for the morning. That leaves time if a rapid test needs follow-up or if the clinic is busy.

Step 5: Think about timing and window periods

A test can only detect an infection after enough time has passed since an exposure. This is called the window period. For HIV, the CDC says the window depends on the type of test:

  • A lab blood draw that looks for both antigens and antibodies can usually detect HIV 18 to 45 days after exposure.
  • A finger-prick antigen/antibody test can usually detect HIV 18 to 90 days after exposure.
  • Antibody tests, including home self-tests, can take 23 to 90 days after exposure to detect HIV.

A rapid result is only as informative as the timing allows. A clinician can tell you whether a repeat test makes sense for you. If you think you may have had a recent HIV exposure, tell the clinic right away. The CDC describes post-exposure medicine, called PEP, that a clinician can prescribe, and it works best when started quickly.

Step 6: Go to your visit and take your time

At check-in you may fill out a short form. The staff will ask about your sexual health and which sites to test. This is routine. A clinician or counselor can explain each step.

Samples can be a urine sample, a swab of the mouth, throat or rectum, a finger-prick or a blood draw. The Health Stop lists urine, mouth swab and rectal swab options for gonorrhea and chlamydia.

Step 7: Ask how you will get your results

Before you leave, ask:

  • How will I be told my results: phone, portal or in person?
  • When should I expect them?
  • What number do I call if I have not heard back?
  • What happens if a result needs follow-up?

Write the answers down. Keep your phone on and check voicemail.

Step 8: Plan for follow-up

A clinician can explain what any result means for you. Treatment is prescribed by a clinician, and you do not need to guess what comes next.

Some facts from the CDC STI Treatment Guidelines (2021) may help you feel steadier while you wait:

  • Chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis are bacterial infections that are curable with treatment from a clinician. Trichomoniasis is also curable.
  • HIV, herpes and HPV are not curable, but they are treatable or manageable with care from a clinician.

If you test positive for HIV, the City of St. Louis Linkage to Care Intake Line is 314-356-0200. The Health Stop line, 314-657-1584, also helps with linkage to care.

What your results may look like

Results are given by a clinician or clinic staff. Here is how to think about the common outcomes. None of this replaces what a clinician tells you about your own situation.

  • Negative. A negative result generally means the test did not find the infection it looks for. It may not rule out a recent exposure that is still inside the window period. Ask whether you should retest.
  • Positive. A positive result means a clinician will talk with you about next steps. Many infections are treatable, and some are curable. Some rapid tests need a second test to confirm a result.
  • Unclear or invalid. Sometimes a sample cannot be read. This does not mean anything about you. The test is usually repeated.

Do not try to read your own result into the absence of a call. Some clinics only contact people with results that need action, and others contact everyone. Ask which applies.

Tips for a smoother visit

  • Go early in the day, and earlier in the week. The Health Stop is closed Fridays.
  • Ask about all the sites that were involved. Testing only urine can miss infections of the throat or rectum.
  • Ask about free HIV self-test kits. The City of St. Louis says the Health Stop provides a free oral-swab kit, and kits can also be ordered by mail through TakeMeHome.org. Eligibility rules were not stated on that page.
  • Ask whether your partners can be tested or treated. Missouri law (RSMo 191.648, per the CDC's page on expedited partner therapy in Missouri) allows a clinician to provide treatment for chlamydia and gonorrhea to partners who are not the clinician's patients. A clinician decides whether it fits your case.
  • Ask about prevention. Planned Parenthood Great Rivers and CareSTL Health are listed with PrEP navigation in the CDC directory. WashU Infectious Diseases mentions PrEP, PEP and doxy-PEP. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) can also answer PrEP questions at 888-252-8045 or [email protected].

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Assuming every test gives a same-day answer. Only a few do. Plan for the wait on the rest.
  • Skipping the call. The Health Stop's walk-in policy and the CDC listing differ on whether an appointment is needed. A call settles it.
  • Going on a Friday to the Health Stop. It is closed Fridays and city holidays.
  • Testing too soon after an exposure and stopping there. A result from inside the window period may need to be repeated. Ask a clinician.
  • Not asking how results arrive. Missing a call can delay care.
  • Waiting for symptoms. Many infections cause no symptoms. The CDC recommends routine screening for some groups, even when people feel fine.

If you are under 18

Missouri law, RSMo 431.061, says a minor may consent for themselves to treatment in the case of venereal disease. The statute sets no minimum age. The listing I relied on does not spell out rules for testing or other limits, so ask the clinic how it handles consent and privacy.

If you are pregnant

Missouri law, RSMo 210.030, requires those who provide obstetric care to offer blood tests, with the patient's consent, for syphilis, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV at the first prenatal visit or soon after. The statute also describes later tests. A 2025 House bill proposes changes to that section, so ask your prenatal provider for the current timing. The City of St. Louis Department of Health reported 56 congenital syphilis cases in St. Louis County and the City combined from 2020 through 2022, which is one reason prenatal testing matters here.

Cost and privacy

The Health Stop says there is no cost for its service and no ID is necessary. The Saint Louis County Sexual Health Clinic listing does not state a price. Planned Parenthood Great Rivers and CareSTL Health are listed with sliding-scale fees, and the CDC directory notes that insurance and Medicaid may be accepted. For any clinic whose price is not published, call and ask before your visit.

Health departments may report certain results to public health authorities as required by law. Missouri's HIV reporting rule is 19 CSR 20-26.040. Ask the clinic how your information is handled.

What to remember

  • Rapid HIV testing is the main same-day option. The Health Stop lists results in about 15 minutes.
  • Chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis results usually take days.
  • Call ahead. Walk-in rules vary and hours are not published for every clinic.
  • Ask how and when you will hear your results.
  • A clinician can explain what any result means for you.

Testing is a normal part of taking care of yourself. A free or low-cost visit in St. Louis is within reach.

Sources