This page is general health information, not medical advice. It cannot tell you whether you have an infection. A clinician can, and the testing options on this site are a good place to start.

Waiting for std test results can feel long, even when the lab is moving at a normal pace. This page explains how long results usually take in Los Angeles, how they are delivered, and what common result words mean. It also covers how soon you can test for an STD, and what a clinician can tell you after a result comes back.

Timing: How Long Results Take

How long do std test results take?

It depends on the test and where it is run. Some HIV tests are rapid, and the CDC says rapid tests can give a result in about 30 minutes or less. Lab-based tests for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and HIV take longer because samples go to a lab.

How long do results take at Los Angeles County public health clinics?

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (DPH) says results from its Sexual Health Clinics come through the LA Health Portal in 2 to 10 business days. Its clinics include the Central Health Center at 241 Figueroa St. and the MLK Jr. Center for Public Health at 11833 S. Wilmington Ave. For a specific test, ask the clinic staff when you are seen.

Why do some results come back faster than others?

Rapid tests are read on site, while most other tests are processed in a laboratory. Lab workload, the type of sample and how a clinic sends samples all affect timing. The CDC does not set one turnaround time for every test, so the clinic is the best source for your date.

What if my results are taking longer than I was told?

Contact the clinic that collected your sample, using the phone number they gave you. For DPH sexual health clinics, the centralized scheduling line is (213) 449-7009. Do not assume a delay means anything about the result itself.

Window Periods: How Soon Can You Test for an STD?

How soon can you test for an STD after a possible exposure?

It depends on the infection, because every test has a window period. That is the time between exposure and when a test can reliably detect an infection. A clinician can tell you which tests fit your timing and whether a repeat test makes sense.

What are the CDC window periods for HIV tests?

The CDC says a nucleic acid test can usually detect HIV 10 to 33 days after exposure. An antigen/antibody test from a blood draw can usually detect it 18 to 45 days after exposure. Fingerstick antigen/antibody tests take 18 to 90 days, and antibody tests take 23 to 90 days.

Can a test be negative and still miss an infection?

Yes. A test taken inside its window period can come back negative even if an infection is present, because there is not yet enough for the test to find. A clinician can explain whether retesting later is worth considering for your situation.

Is there a window period for chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis?

Yes, though the CDC STI Treatment Guidelines (2021) do not give one number for each that a reader can apply on their own. Clinicians use the timing of your exposure, your symptoms and the test type to decide when to test and when to repeat. Ask the clinic what timing they recommend.

How Results Are Delivered in Los Angeles

How will I get my results?

DPH says clinic results are delivered through the LA Health Portal. Other clinics may use a patient portal, a phone call or an in-person visit. Ask how and when you will hear back before you leave.

Can I get tested at home in Los Angeles?

The LA County DPH Division of HIV and STD Programs runs the free "I Know" home kit for chlamydia and gonorrhea. It is a vaginal-swab kit for people with a vagina aged 12 to 44 in Los Angeles County. The kit, lab test and return postage are free, and results come online or by phone. The program hotline is (800) 758-0880.

Who sees my results, and are they reported?

Under California rules (17 CCR 2505), laboratories report chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and acute HIV results to the local health department. Providers must report gonorrhea, syphilis and HIV (17 CCR 2500). DPH says its clinics are open to everyone regardless of citizenship and that it will not report immigration status.

Can a minor get tested and see the results without a parent?

California Family Code section 6926 lets a minor aged 12 or older consent to STI testing and treatment. DPH says its clinics tell patients 12 and older they can be tested and treated without their parents knowing. For youth aged 12 to 24, Children's Hospital Los Angeles lists STD services at (323) 361-7550, so check with them about cost.

Understanding Result Words

What does a negative result mean?

It means the test did not detect that infection in the sample at the time it was taken. A clinician can tell you how to read it alongside your exposure timing and any symptoms. Only a clinician can say whether another test is worth doing.

What does a positive result mean?

It means the test detected signs of that infection. A clinician will explain what it means for you and may order more testing. Many infections are treatable, and bacterial STIs and trichomoniasis are curable with treatment from a clinician.

What does "reactive" mean on an HIV test?

A reactive screening result means the test found something that needs follow-up testing. The CDC recommends a follow-up test to confirm before anyone is told they have HIV. A clinician will arrange the next step. HIV is not curable, but it is treatable, and a clinician can discuss care.

What do "invalid" or "inconclusive" results mean?

These usually mean the test could not give a clear answer, often because of a sample or lab issue. They do not point to a positive or a negative. The clinic will usually ask for another sample.

What Happens Next

What happens after a positive result?

A clinician talks with you about treatment, which is named only as what they prescribe, and about follow-up. Public health clinics also help with questions about partners. DPH Sexual Health Clinics list treatment among their services.

Can my partners be treated without their own visit?

Sometimes. The CDC lists expedited partner therapy as permissible in California, under Health and Safety Code section 120582, for chlamydia, gonorrhea and some other STIs. A clinician decides whether it applies.

Do public health clinics also offer PrEP, PEP and doxy-PEP?

DPH says its Sexual Health Clinics provide PrEP, PEP and doxy-PEP at no patient charge. CDC doxy-PEP guidance from 2024 is for a clinician to apply to your situation. Call (213) 449-7009 to ask about appointments and walk-in availability.

Free and Low-Cost Testing in Los Angeles

Where can I get tested for free?

DPH lists its Central Health Center and MLK Jr. Center as free, with insurance billed if you have it and no copay. AHF Wellness Center - Western at 1811 N. Western Ave. lists free chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and HIV tests, and you can reach it at 1 (855) 783-2434. See our list of Los Angeles testing options for more. You can also search the CDC's GetTested locator.

How common are STIs in Los Angeles?

The LA County DPH 2024 STI Surveillance Snapshot reports 493 chlamydia cases per 100,000 people (provisional, excluding Long Beach and Pasadena). Testing is a routine part of health care. You can also call the county STD hotline at (800) 758-0880 to find free testing.

STD Test Results: How Long They Take and What They Mean