Looking for STD testing in Covington, LA? Total Health Urgent Care offers it as a walk-in service at 73015 Hwy 25, Suite A. Our urgent care services page describes STD testing as “Evaluation and treatment with on-site collection, lab capabilities for send-off results.” Walk in any day, Monday through Sunday, between 7 AM and 7 PM, and a self-pay office visit costs $130.
Plenty of people put this test off because it feels awkward to bring up. That’s normal, and it’s the reason this guide exists.
If you only have a minute:
- No appointment is required, and weekend hours match weekday hours.
- No symptoms doesn’t mean no infection. The CDC’s Getting Tested for STIs page says, “STIs often have no symptoms, so you may not know you have one. But even without symptoms, infections can cause serious health problems and spread to others.”
- Paying out of pocket? Our pricing and insurance page posts a $130 self-pay visit that includes the exam itself, any referral, and medication prescribing.
Does urgent care do STD testing in Covington?
Ours does! STD testing is on the Total Health services list, which describes on-site collection with lab capabilities for send-off results. In plain terms, the sample is taken at the clinic and sent out for results. The same page lists in-house urinalysis evaluation, with cultures to be sent off to a lab, plus on-site urinalysis testing for pregnancy. It also says walk-ins are accepted and you may also request an appointment.
Not sure which tests you need? You don’t have to figure that out alone. The CDC’s Getting Tested for STIs page puts it simply: “A healthcare provider can help you decide which tests you need.” If you already have a specific test in mind, like HIV or syphilis, mention it when you check in.
Who should get tested for STDs, and how often?
How often you should get tested isn’t the same for everyone. The CDC says what you should be tested for and how often “can depend on several factors, including where you live and your age, sexual history, current sexual practices, and symptoms (if you have any).” Here’s how the CDC lays out its general guidelines on Getting Tested for STIs:
- Everyone ages 13 to 64 years should be tested at least once for HIV.
- Most sexually active adults should be tested for syphilis based on where they live.
- Pregnant women should be tested for syphilis, HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C starting early in pregnancy. Some people may need repeat testing and also need to be tested for chlamydia and gonorrhea.
- All sexually active women younger than 25 years should be tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia every year.
- Some women 25 years and older should be tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia every year. This can include women who have new partners, multiple partners, or a partner who has an STI.
- Sexually active men who are gay or bisexual and men who have sex with men should be tested:
- For syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea at least once a year. Those with multiple or anonymous partners should be tested more frequently (e.g., every 3 to 6 months).
- For HIV at least once a year and may benefit from more frequent HIV testing (e.g., every 3 to 6 months).
- Anyone who shares injection drug equipment should get tested for HIV at least once a year.
- People who have had oral or anal sex should talk with their healthcare provider about throat and rectal testing options.
Testing again after treatment counts, too. The CDC’s About Chlamydia page says, “Repeat infection with chlamydia is common. You should receive testing again about three months after your treatment, even if your sex partner(s) receives treatment.”
How common are STDs in Louisiana?
In 2023, Louisiana ranked eighth in the nation for primary and secondary syphilis and seventh for congenital syphilis, according to the Louisiana Department of Health’s Louisiana HIV, AIDS, Early Syphilis, and Congenital Syphilis Surveillance Quarterly Report (Fourth Quarter 2025). For primary and secondary syphilis, the report says the state “ranked eighth nationally with a rate of 26.1 per 100,000 population.” For congenital syphilis, it lists “a rate of 193 cases per 100,000 live births and 109 cases reported.” The same report counts 1,501 people newly diagnosed with early syphilis in Louisiana from January 1 through December 31, 2025.
Nationally, CDC’s letter CDC Releases 2024 National STI Data reports that “In 2024, more than 2.2 million cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis were reported.” The same letter notes that “this represents a 9% decline in STI morbidity compared to 2023” and calls it the third consecutive year of decreases.
What are common STD symptoms?
Many STDs don’t cause symptoms at all, and that’s exactly why testing matters. The CDC’s About Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) page explains, “Many STIs have no symptoms or may only cause mild symptoms, so people can have an infection but not know it.” When symptoms do show up, here’s how the CDC describes six common infections:
If something seems off, don’t wait it out. The CDC’s About Gonorrhea page says, “See your healthcare provider if you notice any of these symptoms. You should also see a provider if your partner has an STI or symptoms of one.”
Is it a UTI or an STD?
Painful urination can point to either one, so it’s smarter to get checked than to guess. MedlinePlus says on its painful urination page that “Painful urination is most often caused by an infection or inflammation somewhere in the urinary tract,” and it lists “Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as gonorrhea or chlamydia” among the other causes. MedlinePlus also explains on its Urethritis page that bacteria such as chlamydia and gonorrhea “also cause urinary tract infections (UTIs) and some sexually transmitted diseases.” The CDC adds on About Gonorrhea that even when a woman has symptoms, “they are often mild and can be mistaken for a bladder or vaginal infection.” For painful urination, the Total Health services page lists “On-site rapid urinalysis, send off lab for culture if needed, prescribed medication, with plan of care.” If a bladder infection is what’s on your mind, our guide on whether urgent care can treat a UTI covers that side of things.
How is an STD test done?
Most STD tests use a blood sample, a urine sample, or a swab. According to Getting Tested for STIs, “You may need to provide blood, urine, or swabs from your vagina, throat, or rectum for STI tests.” MedlinePlus walks through each one on its Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Tests page:
- Blood: “a health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle.”
- Urine: “you will provide a sterile sample of urine in a cup as instructed by your provider.”
- Swab: “a provider will use a special swab to take a sample from the site of the infection.”
Also, a Pap test isn’t an STD test. The Office on Women’s Health says on its Pap and HPV tests page, “A Pap test is not used to find STIs. A Pap test is used to find abnormal cells that may cause cervical cancer.” So if you want STD testing, ask for it by name.
How soon after sex should you get tested?
The right timing depends on the infection and the type of test. For HIV, HIV.gov’s HIV Testing Overview says, “No, HIV tests cannot detect HIV immediately after exposure, including blood tests sent to a lab.” It gives these window periods:
- “A NAT looks for the actual virus in your blood and can usually detect HIV infection 10 to 33 days after exposure.”
- “An antigen/antibody test performed by a laboratory using blood from your vein can usually detect HIV infection 18 to 45 days after exposure.”
Symptoms can be slow, too. The CDC’s About Chlamydia page says that if symptoms occur, “they may not appear until several weeks after having sex with a partner who has chlamydia.” HIV.gov’s HIV Testing Overview advises, “Ask your health care provider or HIV testing counselor about the window period for your test and whether you will need a follow-up test to confirm the results.”
Possible HIV exposure in the last 3 days? Don’t wait for a routine test. The CDC’s Preventing HIV with PEP page says, “PEP must be started within 72 hours (3 days) after a recent possible exposure to HIV.” It also says to “Talk right away to your health care provider, an emergency room doctor, or an urgent care provider about PEP if you think you’ve recently been exposed to HIV” and lists examples. PEP isn’t on our posted services list, so call (985) 400-5370 before you drive over to ask about it, and if you can’t get a quick yes, go to the nearest emergency room. For any medical emergency, call 911.
How long do STD test results take?
At Total Health, the services page describes STD testing with on-site collection and lab capabilities for send-off results, so the results come from that lab. Ask at check-in how long your specific tests usually take and how you’ll get the results. Keep the window periods in mind, too. The HIV Testing Overview explains that if you had a possible exposure during the window period, you’ll need to test again after the window period, even if your test was negative.
How much does STD testing cost in Covington without insurance?
Without insurance, the office visit at Total Health is $130. The pricing page doesn’t list separate lab prices, and since the clinic provides a long list of services, it recommends phoning ahead for an accurate estimate of out-of-pocket costs. Here’s the rundown from our urgent care cost and insurance page:
Does insurance cover STD testing?
Often it does, for screening. HealthCare.gov’s Preventive care benefits for adults page lists “HIV screening for everyone 15 to 65 years, and other ages at increased risk” and “Syphilis screening for adults at higher risk” as covered services. Its Preventive care benefits for women page adds “Chlamydia infection screening for younger women and other women at higher risk” and “Gonorrhea screening for all women at higher risk” to that list. Both pages say, “Generally, these services are covered at no cost to you when provided by an in-network medical provider.” Both also add, “Coverage may vary. $0 cost isn’t guaranteed in all cases.” If you’re unsure what your plan covers, our pricing page suggests checking with your insurance company.
What happens if your STD test is positive?
A positive result is treatable, and some STDs can be cured outright. The CDC’s About Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) page says, “If you receive a positive STI diagnosis, know that all are treatable with medicine and some are curable entirely.” Total Health’s STD testing service includes evaluation and treatment, and the $130 self-pay visit includes any prescribing of medication. If you need a specialist, the services page says Total Health sends off referrals to specialists when a patient needs one.
Partners matter here as well. The CDC’s Getting Tested for STIs page says, “It’s important to know if you have an STI, so you and your partner(s) can receive treatment.” For chlamydia, About Chlamydia adds, “You should not have sex again until you and your sex partner(s) complete treatment.”
Which urgent care near me does STD testing on weekends?
If you’re searching for an urgent care near me from Covington, Mandeville, Madisonville, or Abita Springs, Total Health keeps its regular 7 AM to 7 PM hours on Saturday and Sunday, too. You’ll find the clinic just north of downtown Covington on Hwy 25, near where it meets Hwy 190. Total Health welcomes patients from Abita Springs, Madisonville, Mandeville, Folsom, St Benedict, and Franklinton as well as Covington, and from across St. Tammany Parish.
So what makes the best walk-in clinic for STD testing near Covington or Mandeville? Look for hours that fit around work and school, a visit price you can see before you go, insurance billed for you, and testing and treatment under one roof. Our walk-in clinic on Hwy 25 checks each box, with a 7 AM opening and 7 PM closing every single day, a posted $130 self-pay visit, most major insurance billed directly, and STD testing that includes evaluation and treatment. Before opening Total Health, Jennifer Duncan, APRN, MSN, FNP-C, spent more than 25 years working emergency and urgent care.
Common questions about STD testing
Yes. Walk-ins are welcome every day of the week, Saturday and Sunday included, between 7 AM and 7 PM. Prefer a set time? You may also request an appointment.
Paying on your own, the office visit costs $130, which includes exams, referrals, and any medication prescribing. Separate lab prices aren’t listed, and the clinic recommends calling beforehand for an accurate out-of-pocket estimate of your visit.
Often, for screening. HealthCare.gov lists HIV screening for everyone 15 to 65 and syphilis screening for adults at higher risk among preventive services generally covered at no cost from an in-network provider, though coverage varies. Total Health accepts most major plans and bills insurers directly.
Yes. The CDC says STIs often have no symptoms, so you may not know you have one, and even without symptoms, infections can cause serious health problems and spread to others. That’s why testing matters even when you feel fine.
No. The Office on Women’s Health says a Pap test looks for abnormal cells that may cause cervical cancer, not STIs. Ask for STD testing by name if you want it.
It depends on the test. HIV.gov says a lab antigen/antibody test using blood from a vein can usually detect HIV 18 to 45 days after exposure, and a NAT 10 to 33 days after. If the exposure was within the last 72 hours, ask about PEP right away.
Yes. The Covington clinic keeps the same 7 AM to 7 PM schedule on Saturday and Sunday as on weekdays, and it welcomes patients from Mandeville, Madisonville, and Abita Springs.
Ready to get it off your mind? Come by Suite A at 73015 Hwy 25 in Covington, LA 70435, whenever it suits you between 7 AM and 7 PM, or phone (985) 400-5370 with a question before you head over. No appointment needed.
Covington’s Total Health Urgent Care team wrote this guide for St. Tammany Parish readers. Jennifer Duncan, APRN, MSN, FNP-C, holds the title of clinic founder. It’s meant to inform, not diagnose, so bring your own questions to a provider, and in an emergency, call 911.