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Anyone use LA County's free hiv/std testing facilities?
bingbingbongbongbing 1527 reads
posted
1 / 15
Anyone use LA County's free hiv/std testing facilities?

How is it? a lot of waiting?
Anything else noteworthy?

Any feedback is appreciated.

coeur-de-lion 400 Reviews 602 reads
posted
2 / 15
Just remember, . . .

you get what you pay for.  Are you sure you want to trust your sexual health to a free clinic.  Unless you're homeless, I wouldn't take the risk.

bingbingbongbongbing 505 reads
posted
3 / 15
these ones are owned by LA dept of public health

I would say the risk isn't great.

Posted By: coeur-de-lion
you get what you pay for.  Are you sure you want to trust your sexual health to a free clinic.  Unless you're homeless, I wouldn't take the risk.  

JoJo15783 29 Reviews 474 reads
posted
4 / 15
Free STD clinics are legit

I haven't used the ones offered by LA County, but I have checked out ones offered by different organizations/non-profits (like AHF Wellness Centers, link below) and the service I received was on par with professional medical services I receive at my (paid) primary care MD, among others. Lines can get really long (1-2 hour), so it's advised you go right when they open. Testing is all free + anonymous and most places will test for the basic STDs (the AHF Wellness Centers test for Chlamydia/Gonorrhea via urine test + rectal swab, Gonorrhea throat test, blood test that looks for Syphilis + HIV (confirmatory Western blot), a rapid HIV test that is the screening ELISA).

Even TREATMENT is free at many of these centers (like AHF) if you end up testing positive. AHF in particular treats HSV and HPV outbreaks, though they don't actually test for those viruses.

No reason not to check it out, IMO. I have to respectfully disagree with CDL regarding his take on free clinics (though he's super helpful and I value his opinion). I think they are perfectly fine -> not much medical training is required for technicians to collect your pee in a cup, swab your throat + they have trained, certified individuals drawing your blood, it's not like they just take that junkie off the street to do it, haha. The ONLY time I'd consider someone needing MORE than a free clinic is if you were to test positive for something like HIV, where you'd need to get plugged into primary care/get an HIV specialist physician/etc. Even most other STDs like CT/NG, syphilis are rapidly cured with some simple antibiotics and you don't necessarily need your own PCP.

That being said, I think everyone should normally have their own PCP and get routine physicals/check-ups.
Related Link: http://www.freestdcheck.org/

bingbingbongbongbing 367 reads
posted
5 / 15
nice

Really helpful. How do they send you the test results?

I found a branch 15 miles from my house that does all std testing by appointment only, so I might not have to wait 1-2 hours.

Here's what I think... These STD tests run $100-200 in private practice. And doing it once a month can add up in cost.

Getting testing done free leaves me extra cash to tip the girls. Thanks LA for subsidizing my hobby
 
Posted By: JoJo15783
I haven't used the ones offered by LA County, but I have checked out ones offered by different organizations/non-profits (like AHF Wellness Centers, link below) and the service I received was on par with professional medical services I receive at my (paid) primary care MD, among others. Lines can get really long (1-2 hour), so it's advised you go right when they open. Testing is all free + anonymous and most places will test for the basic STDs (the AHF Wellness Centers test for Chlamydia/Gonorrhea via urine test + rectal swab, Gonorrhea throat test, blood test that looks for Syphilis + HIV (confirmatory Western blot), a rapid HIV test that is the screening ELISA).  
   
 Even TREATMENT is free at many of these centers (like AHF) if you end up testing positive. AHF in particular treats HSV and HPV outbreaks, though they don't actually test for those viruses.  
   
 No reason not to check it out, IMO. I have to respectfully disagree with CDL regarding his take on free clinics (though he's super helpful and I value his opinion). I think they are perfectly fine -> not much medical training is required for technicians to collect your pee in a cup, swab your throat + they have trained, certified individuals drawing your blood, it's not like they just take that junkie off the street to do it, haha. The ONLY time I'd consider someone needing MORE than a free clinic is if you were to test positive for something like HIV, where you'd need to get plugged into primary care/get an HIV specialist physician/etc. Even most other STDs like CT/NG, syphilis are rapidly cured with some simple antibiotics and you don't necessarily need your own PCP.  
   
 That being said, I think everyone should normally have their own PCP and get routine physicals/check-ups.

JoJo15783 29 Reviews 297 reads
posted
6 / 15
Re: nice

Test results can be relayed via several ways. Some ask for a phone # you specify and either text, call, leave a voicemail (all up to you how you want it). AHF centers have you sent up an online account with Healthvana right at the site where you just access them online when they are ready in a few days -> you can print them out at your leisure if you'd like. AHF centers only contact you via phone if you have positive results, so no news is good news.

Often places that do rapid HIV testing will give you a little results card right then and there as the test takes only a few minutes to complete + get results.

Agreed, routine testing can add up in terms of costs, though it is well worth to protect the ladies, you, and other johns. Why not do it for free to spend more on the lovely ladies? Also, I can understand why some people may not want to see their normal PCP for STD testing (maybe they're married and the PCP also takes care of their spouse and while there is HIPAA and all that, they don't want to use that avenue unless necessary, etc).
Posted By: bingbingbongbongbing
Really helpful. How do they send you the test results?  
   
 I found a branch 15 miles from my house that does all std testing by appointment only, so I might not have to wait 1-2 hours.  
   
 Here's what I think... These STD tests run $100-200 in private practice. And doing it once a month can add up in cost.  
   
 Getting testing done free leaves me extra cash to tip the girls. Thanks LA for subsidizing my hobby

WildJimmy! 316 reads
posted
7 / 15
The County Clinic is legit. It's also a great place to meet chicks! Eom


END OF MESSAGE

coeur-de-lion 400 Reviews 369 reads
posted
8 / 15
Actually, most of the girls I see . . .

have a phlebotomist come to their work location before their shift starts to take blood samples and then send them the results so they don't have to leave the incall for half a day or blow their days off waiting around at a free clinic.  

As for me, I won't wait around an hour for something like that.  My time is too valuable.  I just go to the lab next door to my doctor and then they phone or email me with the results when ready.

AverageEverydayJoe 300 reads
posted
9 / 15
This makes sense since everyone you see has management...

The "management" wouldn't want to lose out on a day of income just because of a test. A phrase comes to mind. What is it? I think it was mooman braffiking? Or dentures pervatude? I can't quite recall.

Posted By: coeur-de-lion
have a phlebotomist come to their work location before their shift starts to take blood samples and then send them the results so they don't have to leave the incall for half a day or blow their days off waiting around at a free clinic.    
   
 As for me, I won't wait around an hour for something like that.  My time is too valuable.  I just go to the lab next door to my doctor and then they phone or email me with the results when ready.  

jc316 87 Reviews 341 reads
posted
10 / 15
thats the most stupid response ever on these boards, think first! eom


END OF MESSAGE

jc316 87 Reviews 346 reads
posted
11 / 15
Re: The County Clinic is legit. It's also a great place to meet chicks! Eom

that's a great idea

bingbingbongbongbing 267 reads
posted
12 / 15
"Sup girl. You're clean. I'm clean. Let's bang." (E)


END OF MESSAGE

coeur-de-lion 400 Reviews 280 reads
posted
13 / 15
Thanks for getting me off the hook . .

Until you posted this, somebody thought my post earlier on this thread was the stupidest one ever.  In this case, good call using your alias.  

Guys like you don't get it. It's the GIRLS that don't want to miss work for something like this. They prefer to do something fun on their day off, oftentimes with their outside boyfriend who also doesn't want to waste his time sitting at a free clinic either. Lol

coeur-de-lion 400 Reviews 315 reads
posted
14 / 15
Why am I not . . .

Surprised you think a free STD clinic is a great place to meet women. LMAO

coeur-de-lion 400 Reviews 307 reads
posted
15 / 15
Ah, run by . . .

government bureaucrats rather than doctorss.  THAT certainly makes me feel safer.

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