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 is stressful for many people, and it helps to know what to expect. This page covers how long results take, how they reach you, what common result words mean and what usually happens next. It is written for people in Atlanta, Georgia, and it follows guidance from the CDC and the Georgia Department of Public Health.

Turnaround times

How long do STD test results take?

It depends on the test and the clinic. CDC describes rapid HIV tests as giving results in about 30 minutes or less, while tests sent to a lab take longer. Neither Fulton County Board of Health nor AID Atlanta lists a turnaround time for lab tests on its public pages, so ask the clinic when you are tested.

Why do some results come back the same day and others take longer?

Rapid tests are read on site, so the answer is ready during your visit. Lab tests are sent out and processed in batches. Your clinician can tell you which type of test you are getting.

Do blood tests, urine tests and swabs take the same amount of time?

Not always. The sample type matters less than whether the test is read on site or sent to a lab. The clinic that collects your sample is the best source for its timeline.

How soon can you test for an STD after exposure?

A test can only find an infection once enough of it is present, and that time differs by infection. For HIV, CDC says lab tests on blood from a vein can detect it 18 to 45 days after exposure. CDC lists 18 to 90 days for a finger-prick antigen and antibody test, and 23 to 90 days for antibody tests. A clinician can tell you the right timing for other infections.

What is a window period?

It is the time between exposure and the point when a test can reliably find an infection. A test taken inside that window may come back negative even if an infection is present. This is why clinicians sometimes suggest a repeat test later.

Can a test taken too early give a false negative?

Yes. CDC explains that a test inside the window period may not detect an infection yet. If you tested soon after an exposure, ask the clinic when to test again.

How results are delivered in Atlanta

How will I get my results?

Delivery varies by clinic and test. It may be in person, by phone or through a patient portal. The clinics' public pages do not spell out every option, so ask at check-in how and when you will hear back.

Can I get results the same day at AID Atlanta?

AID Atlanta says it offers HIV testing with a 4th generation blood test or an INSTI rapid test, and free STI screening for chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis. Testing runs Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with walk-ins welcome. Call (404) 870-7741 to ask about timing for each test.

What about the Fulton County Board of Health clinics?

The Fulton County Board of Health offers STI screening and treatment at sites including 10 Park Place Health Center, Adamsville Regional Health Center and Neighborhood Union Health Center. Fees follow a sliding scale for people without insurance. The 10 Park Place center, at (770) 520-7500, lists weekday walk-in hours, and the health board says appointments are recommended at some sites.

Does Planned Parenthood East Atlanta offer testing?

Its health center lists STD testing and treatment and HIV testing. It says insurance is not required and that it accepts cash and cards. Walk-ins are welcome, but the center says only appointments guarantee service, so call 404-688-9300 first.

Is there a place for teens to be tested?

The Fulton County Board of Health Teen Health Clinic serves ages 12 to 21 and offers STI exams and HIV counseling and testing. It says no teen is turned away for inability to pay. Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 31-17-7) lets a minor consent to care for syphilis and gonorrhea, and providers may, but need not, tell a parent.

Reading positive, negative and reactive results

What does a negative result mean?

A negative result means the test did not find the infection it looks for. How much weight to give it depends on timing, since a test inside the window period can miss an infection. A clinician can explain what a negative result means for your situation.

What does a positive result mean?

A positive result means the test found signs of the infection it looks for. Your clinician may confirm it and talk through next steps. Many STIs are very treatable, and nothing about a result says anything about you as a person.

What does a reactive result mean?

Reactive usually describes a screening test that found something needing a follow-up test. It is not a final answer on its own. AID Atlanta says it offers free treatment for reactive screening results, and a clinician will explain the follow-up.

What does an inconclusive or unclear result mean?

It means the test could not give a clear answer. A clinician will usually suggest a repeat or a different test. Ask the clinic what happens next so you know when to expect more information.

What happens next

What happens if a result is positive?

A clinician will talk with you about treatment and about telling partners. Chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and trichomoniasis are curable with treatment from a clinician. HIV and herpes are not curable but are treatable and manageable, and CDC recommends starting HIV treatment as soon as possible after diagnosis.

Will my result be reported to the state?

Georgia Department of Public Health says clinicians and labs must report notifiable conditions. It lists syphilis as reportable immediately, and chlamydia, gonorrhea and HIV within 7 days. Ask the clinic how it handles your information.

Do my partners need to know?

Partners often need testing or treatment too. Georgia allows expedited partner therapy, as CDC's legal status page for Georgia describes, and Georgia DPH says local health departments can provide EPT services. Your clinician can explain the options.

What if I am pregnant?

Under the Georgia HIV/Syphilis Pregnancy Screening Act (O.C.G.A. § 31-17-4.2), prenatal providers must test for HIV and syphilis unless the patient refuses. They must offer testing again in the third trimester, and at delivery if no test is on record. Georgia DPH reported 127 congenital syphilis cases in 2023, per CDC state tables.

Where can I get tested for free or at low cost?

AID Atlanta says its HIV tests and STI screenings are free. Fulton County Board of Health clinics use a sliding scale, and Georgia DPH offers an at-home HIV self-test by online request. For a full list with costs, see this Atlanta STD testing guide, or use the CDC GetTested locator.

Why does testing matter in Atlanta?

Georgia DPH's OASIS data show a 2023 chlamydia rate of 978.7 per 100,000 people in Fulton County. These infections are common and often have no symptoms. Testing is how people find out and get care.

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