Can You Buy A Walgreens STD Test Kit?
Did you know that you can buy STD tests at Walgreens and CVS? It’s true, but their offerings are quite limited. In today’s post, let’s take a look at your options. It’s important to learn the difference between using an STD rapid test kit from Walgreens or CVS and the multiple at home STD test options available online from myLAB Box.
Lots of people have questions about self-care, so let’s talk about the over the counter STD test.
How Does a Walgreens Over The Counter STD Test Work?
Walgreens offers a variety of HIV test kits, which can be purchased either in-store or online. These vary in price, starting as low as $45.99 and increasing in price up to $59.99. Unfortunately, these tests only screen for HIV. So, in addition to the Walgreens HIV test, the only way to determine if you have another type of STD or STI would be to take more tests somewhere else.
Does Walgreens Do STD Testing In-Store?
Some Walgreens locations also offer sexually transmitted disease (STD) and sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing in-store, which can cost as much as $150.
Walgreens Healthcare Clinic providers are trained to test, consult, diagnose and provide treatment. However, as we mentioned above, this currently only includes a test for HIV. If you are worried about other STDs or STIs, you’ll need to look elsewhere.
Is There An Instant STD Test At Walgreens?
For HIV, one option from Walgreens is an instant test. Overall, these tests take about 20 minutes from start to finish and provide same day results. They are taken using a swab applied to the inside of your cheek. When complete, you will see visual results. They also offer a similar test that you would mail to a lab along with personal information, including sexual history, etc.
How much is Walgreens STD Testing?
The cost of a Walgreens STD test varies between $100 and $150. As we mentioned, many Walgreens stores have in-store clinics. During a Walgreens clinic appointment, a person should be prepared to answer questions about their exposure risk and sexual history. The clinicians will also go over the different types of STDs and STIs so you are familiar with them and the various treatment options. The cost for this type of exam can vary, starting at around $100 and going as high as $150.
Digging Deeper Into the STD Rapid Test Kit: How Accurate is the Walgreens Instant HIV Test?
Overall, HIV tests that use a sample of saliva are very accurate. They tend to detect approximately 91.7% of HIV positive patients. This sounds great, but some HIV carriers will still go undiagnosed. Because HIV can take as long as seven weeks to show a positive test result, you may need to take the instant test more than one time.
Should you Buy the Walgreens at Home HIV Test?
The stress of not knowing if you have a STD such as HIV is definitely jarring. This is especially true if you are exhibiting early signs of an infection. Just making a decision to test can be daunting. The instant over the counter STD test is very good. Unfortunately, since these rapid results only cover a single infection, you’re missing out on critical health information. For total peace of mind, you should test for all of the most common sexually transmitted infections.
Thankfully, myLAB Box offers testing options for anonymous screening other STDs and STIs such as HPV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes, mycoplasma genitalium, and more. These options go far beyond the scope of HIV. Testing more thoroughly makes it more likely that you will catch an STI before it becomes a problem.
At-Home STD Test through CVS: What are Your Options?
Is CVS a better alternative than Walgreens? Each CVS location might have a different in-store selection (check stores for availability). When you’re testing, you may have questions or concerns about the accuracy of tests or the results. CVS pharmacists can answer any questions.
So how do you know what test is right for you? The choice of tests—a single test or a combo test—is a matter of personal need and preference. You may have concerns about a specific STD or you may be exhibiting symptoms. Comprehensive tests are ideal for couples or individuals who want to screen for the most common STDs at once.
How much do at-home STD tests at CVS cost?
Prices for tests range from around $40 for an HIV test to more than $140 for the Chlamydia/Gonorrhea/HIV/Syphilis/Trichomoniasis test.
Currently, CVS does not offer online test options to screen for Mycoplasma genitalium or HPV. While HPV is a well-known STD, Mycoplasma genitalium is a relatively new STD for screening. According to the 2015 Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control, Mycoplasma genitalium was included as one of the “emerging issues.” The CDC notes that this disease “lacks a cell wall, and thus antibiotics targeting cell-wall biosynthesis (e.g., beta-lactams including penicillins and cephalosporins) are ineffective against this organism.”
Does CVS Do STD Testing In-Store?
Some CVS locations offer in-store STD testing within the CVS Minute Clinic. During your appointment, practitioner will review your medical history, discuss your concerns, and perform a STD test if necessary. The results of your tests can be sent to your primary care physician for further review and discussion with your permission.
At Home STD Test vs. Walgreens STD Test: Which is Better?
If you prefer to order a test online instead of going to a Walgreens or CVS, an at-home STD test may be ideal for you. Many people prefer using an at-home STD kit because it allows them to complete the test in privacy. If you choose an at-home kit, you won’t need to visit a lab or doctor’s office or even call to schedule an appointment with a physician. The entire test can be completed from the comfort of your own home—and no one has to know.
Based on your lifestyle and sexual experiences, you can choose the test that is right for you. But if you want to keep your testing experience as private as possible, an at-home STD test is the best option for you.
What Does An At Home STD Kit Test For?
Here are just a few of the testing options available from myLAB Box:
The Total Box STD panel can screen for all of the above infections with just a single sample set. In fact, you can screen for all of the above infections without leaving home. Still, there are a number of different ways to test for infections. Here’s how it works:
Individual Infections. Customers can test for individual infections instead of a whole battery of exams.
Women’s health tests include Bacterial Vaginosis and Yeast/Candida.
Tests for sexually transmitted infections include:
- HIV (I & II)
- Hepatitis C
- Herpes type-II
- Syphilis
- Chlamydia (genital, throat, rectal)
- Gonorrhea (genital, throat, rectal)
- HPV (for women 30 years of age and older)
- Trichomoniasis
- and Mycoplasma genitalium
Combination Panel Tests. myLAB Box customers can test for multiple infections with a single sample:
- Safe Box. This 5-panel kit screens for HIV (I & II), Chlamydia, Gonorrhea and Trichomoniasis.
- Uber Box. This 8-panel kit screens for HIV (I & II), Hepatitis C, Herpes type-II, Herpes Simplex Type II, Syphilis, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea and Trichomoniasis.
- Love Box. Having great sex with the full knowledge that both you and your partner are free from dangerous infections creates less stress and better sex! The Love Box comes with two 8-panel Uber Box test kits so you and your partner can test together.
- Total Box. This comprehensive 14-panel test screens for HIV (I & II), Hepatitis C, Herpes type-II, Syphilis, Chlamydia (genital, throat, + rectal), Gonorrhea (genital, throat, + rectal), Trichomoniasis and Mycoplasma genitalium. Women who are 30 years of age and older can add the option to test for HPV as well.
- V-Box. This test kit screens for common causes of abnormal vaginal discharge: Bacterial Vaginosis, Yeast/Candida, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea and Trichomoniasis.
There are many different options to choose from, so take your time to select the test kit that meets your needs.
How Does An At Home STD Test Work?
Testing for STDs at home has never been easier thanks to myLAB Box. Simply follow these steps:
- Order your test kit online via the myLAB box website
- Collect your sample and mail it in for testing using the self-addressed envelope provided in your testing kit
- Wait for your results—it only takes a few days
- Schedule a same-day phone consultation with a medical professional to discuss your results
With an at-home test, you can test yourself at any time and from any place using the easy-to-follow instructions. After sending your sample to the lab, you’ll get accurate and secure results within a matter of days. You’ll receive an email, after which you can log into a secure portal for your private lab-certified results.
Are At Home STD Tests Accurate?
Peace of mind can be priceless and myLAB Box gets it right the first time so you don’t need to worry about the false positives or negatives associated with the Walgreens HIV test. At myLAB Box, we use the same laboratories and technologies used by leading hospitals and clinics. That is why our at home HIV test has a guarantee of 99.9% accuracy and provides results within 2 to 5 days.
When Should You Take An At Home or Over the Counter STD Test?
Many people wait until they exhibit symptoms to get tested for STDs. Symptoms for these infections can vary, but very often symptoms do not appear at all. In fact, even though one in three people have an STD, 80% of those infections do not show symptoms. You may not know you have an infection, and leaving these STDs untreated can cause further damage to your health. That’s why it’s not in your best interest to wait until symptoms appear to get tested for STDs.
Anyone who is sexually active may need to get tested for STDs, especially if:
- You are entering a new relationship.
- You and your partner are considering not using condoms.
- Your partner has been unfaithful or has had multiple partners.
- You have multiple partners.
If you are in a long-term, monogamous relationship, you may not need to get tested for STDs. But if you were not tested prior to entering the relationship, or if any of the conditions above apply to your relationship, now is the time to get tested. You or your partner could be carrying a STD without knowing it, so the earlier you find out, the better.
If you suspect that you may have been exposed to any STDs/STIs we strongly recommend testing. Precautions during sexual activity are important. myLAB Box offers the best and fullest range of at home testing services, all of which are FDA approved. We also offer personalized advice from telemedicine specialists if you receive positive results.
Which STDs Should I Get Tested For?
The more you know about your health, the better, which is why it’s always best to get tested for all STDs unless you know with certainty that you have been exposed to a specific type. In this case, you may only need to get tested for the specific type you were exposed to rather than all STDs.
Take Control of Your Health With An At Home or OTC STD Test
Whether you choose an over the counter HIV test from Walgreens, STD tests from CVS or a more comprehensive STI test from myLAB Box, you’re ready to take total control of your health. Give it a try!
