STD FAQs

The City of Columbia is committed to providing public health services that prevent epidemics and the spread of disease, protect against environmental hazards, promote healthy behaviors, prevent injuries and illness, assure the quality and accessibility of health services, monitor the health of the population, provide social services and promote and protect civil rights.

STD Clinic Services FAQs

When is the STD clinic?

Tuesdays from 5 PM - 7 PM

Do I need an appointment?

No you do not need an appointment, but the number of people seen depends on the number of medical providers working that night. Once that number is reached, the clinic will be closed to more clients. Usually the clinic is open for new people until 7:00. You can also be seen by appointment during regular business hours.

How much does the clinic cost?

All services and treatments are very low cost. $10 for Boone County Residents and $20 for folks not residing in Boone County. This fee also applies to STD visits made by appointment during regular business hours. There is an additional charge for Herpes blood tests if that is done.

Where is the clinic?

The clinic is held at the Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services located at 1005 W. Worley Street in Columbia.

What are the symptoms of Sexually Transmitted Diseases?

There are a variety of symptoms that may tell you that you have an STD, including, but not limited to: unusual discharge from the genitals, burning or pain with urination (pee), abdominal (stomach) pains and skin problems such as growths, open sores or pain/itching in the genital region
It is important to remember that symptoms may not be present in many serious and common STDs
If you think you may have been exposed to an STD, please come to the clinic

What diseases do you see in the Clinic?

Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Herpes, and Venereal Warts comprise the majority of STDs seen at the Clinic, but Syphilis, Hepatitis B, HIV, Chancroid, Scabies and "crabs" have all been diagnosed here

Who will be treating me?

Columbia Health Department nurses, family practice medical residents (MDs), and doctors specializing in infectious disease. All of the Health Deparrment staff follows strict principles of confidentiality.

What kind of tests or procedures can I expect?

Depending on the problem, a pelvic exam for women and a genital exam for men
Cultures may be collected of discharge or sores for the precise diagnosis of the illness
Urine test for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea is available
Usually a blood sample will be drawn from everyone coming to the clinic to test for Syphilis and HIV
Free Hepatitis C blood tests are available for those determined to be at risk for Hepatitis C
Due to State Laboratory budget constraints hepatitis B testing is no longer available
Herpes blood testing is available on a fee basis
Herpes lesion culture test is available for a fee for the definitive diagnosis of Herpes, when a sore is present

What could happen if I don't get treated?

Even though some STDs have slight or no symptoms, they can be damaging to your health, affect your ability to conceive a baby or be life threatening . . . most STDs are easily cured

What about my sex partner(s)?

All partners of a person with an STD should be tested or treated, for their own health and to stop the spread of disease to others. Staff is available to assist in notifying sex partners of those who test positive for an STD

Who gave this disease to me?

As some diseases can take months to appear, it can be difficult to figure out exactly when and from whom the infection was transmitted
STDs are not acquired from shared toilet facilities, but some do spread through oral sex or shared injecting drug equipment (syringes or "works")
If you have presented to the clinic as a contact to an STD case and do not know who the person was who named you as a contact, the staff cannot, by law, tell you

How can I avoid STDs and protect my partners?

Abstinence is the most sure-fire way to prevent STDs, but use of a latex condom can greatly reduce the risk of giving or receiving an STD. A latex barrier may help reduce the risk of nonpenatrative sex as well.

Remember . . .

STDs increase the risk of HIV infection, a usually fatal disease for which there is treatment, but no cure
We are a regional center . . . it is not necessary to be a resident of Boone County to receive services

Contact Us:

You may call us or email us confidentially with any questions or concerns you have about STDs

To learn more about STD's, please visit our external website directory.