How Wake County is making it easier to find out if you have a sexually transmitted disease
There were over 100,000 new cases of sexually transmitted diseases reported across North Carolina in 2023, according to the most recent data available.
Wake County saw 6,340 new cases of chlamydia, 2,488 new cases of gonorrhea and 142 new cases of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, in 2023.
Now, Wake County is making it easier for people to find out if they are infected.
The county is providing free, at-home kits to test for common STIs like chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis.
“We know barriers like cost, transportation and privacy concerns often prevent people from getting tested,” Wake County Commissioner Tara Waters said in a news release. “By providing this free service we’re making testing more accessible and empowering our community to take proactive steps in protecting their health.”
Three North Carolina cities ranked in the 100 cities in the U.S. with the highest STD infection rate, The News & Observer reported. Raleigh was ranked No. 67.
Where to get free at-home STD testing in Wake County?
Kits can be picked up at these Wake County Public Health locations from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
- Wake County Public Health Center (inside the pharmacy), 10 Sunnybrook Road, Raleigh
- Wake County Departure Regional Center, 5809 Departure Drive, Raleigh
- Wake County Eastern Regional Center, 1002 Dogwood Drive, Zebulon
- Wake County Northern Regional Center, 350 E. Holding Ave., Wake Forest
- Wake County Southern Regional Center, 130 N. Judd Parkway NE, Fuquay-Varina
You do not need an appointment or to provide personal information to pick up your at-home test.
Once home, you activate the kit on the supplier’s website, collect blood and urine samples and mail them using a pre-paid envelope. Results arrive two to five days after the samples arrive.
Where is in-person STD testing in Wake County?
There are still ways to get tested at Wake County locations.
STI testing is available at Wake County Public Health Building, 10 Sunnybrook Road, Raleigh from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays; from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday.
Call 919-250-4410 to schedule an appointment, or walk in. Have a question? Email std.program@wake.gov.
Go to gettested.cdc.gov for locations outside Wake County.
This story was originally published March 19, 2025 at 2:50 PM.
