Being tested for sexually transmitted infections has become easier for residents who want to know their status. Wake County Public Health will offer free test kits in several county places, including the Raleigh Public Health Center.
No appointment or personal information is necessary, guaranteeing a simple and accessible way to be tested.
“We know that obstacles such as costs, transport and confidentiality problems often prevent people from being tested,” said Wake County Commissioner Tara Waters. “By providing this free service, we render the IST tests more accessible and allowing our community to take proactive measures to protect its health.”
The test kits can be recovered from Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in these places:
- Wake County Public Health Center (inside the pharmacy), 10 Sunnybrook Road, Raleigh
- Regional County Center for Wake County, 5809 DULTURE LAW, RALEIGH
- Regional center in the east of the county of Wake, 1002 Dogwood Drive, Zebulon
- Regional center in the north of the county of Wake, 350 E. Holding Ave., Wake Forest
- Regional center in the south of the county of Wake, 130 N. Judd Parkway Ne, Fuquay-Varina
The process of using the test kit is easy:
- Get a kit for any place indicated above.
- Activate the supplier’s website.
- Collect a sample of blood and urine.
- Send the sample using a prepaid envelope.
- Receive results in 2 to 5 days once the samples arrive.
Kits test common STIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV, syphilis and trichomonase. If someone is positive, Wake County Public Health can help with the treatment and connect them to the care he needs.
According to centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the STIs are increasing on a national level, which makes regular tests essential for detection and processing early. In 2023, the county of Wake saw:
- 6,337 new cases of chlamydia
- 2,488 new cases of gonorrhea
- 311 Case of early syphilis
With this new service, residents can know their status in private earlier and request care to prevent more infections.
For more information on the creation of a test kit or to access the services of the HIV / STD program of the county of Wake, visit wake.gov/hiv/std.