The Rise of Urgent Care for STI Screening in Teens and Young Adults

For teens and young adults, seeking care for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can come with a mix of uncertainty, embarrassment and logistical barriers. Concerns about privacy, judgment and even running into someone they know can make traditional health care settings feel intimidating. According to Andrea Giamalva, M.D., chief medical officer at Experity, these concerns are shaping where — and how — young patients choose to get tested and treated.

From an urgent care perspective, what are the most common STI-related concerns you’re seeing among teens and young adults right now?

Andrea Giamalva, M.D.: From an urgent care perspective, the most common STI-related concerns in teens and young adults center on a few converging trends. We’re still seeing high volumes of the “big three” — chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis — especially in the 15 to 24 age group, but a significant challenge is that many of these infections are asymptomatic, driving more screening-based visits rather than symptom-driven care.

At the same time, syphilis is re-emerging as a critical “can’t-miss” diagnosis due to its subtle and often misleading presentations. Co-infections are also increasingly common, which adds complexity to diagnosis and management and raises broader concerns about HIV risk. Layered on top of this is the reality that urgent care has become a primary access point for this population — patients are choosing it for convenience, speed and anonymity — so clinics are seeing both higher volumes and a wider range of presentations, from routine screening to more advanced or overlapping infections.

Why is urgent care an important access point for teens and young adults who may be hesitant to seek testing or treatment elsewhere?

AG: Urgent care plays a critical role for teens and young adults because it lowers many of the barriers that keep them from seeking STI testing and treatment in the first place. This population is often nervous, scared or even ashamed to go to a “known” provider, like a family doctor or pediatrician, where they worry about judgment, confidentiality or running into someone they know. The more anonymous, walk-in nature of urgent care feels safer and more private, making it easier to take that first step.

At the same time, access is a major factor: Primary care often can’t offer same-day appointments, and delays in care can mean delayed diagnosis and ongoing transmission. Most young patients are looking for immediate answers, testing and treatment, and urgent care meets that expectation with convenience, speed and accessibility — all of which make it a key entry point into the health care system for STI-related concerns.

Are there certain STI symptoms that urgent care providers wish younger patients would take more seriously instead of waiting to see if they go away?

AG: Urgent care providers often see younger patients delay care for symptoms they hope will resolve on their own, but several should be taken more seriously from the start. Burning with urination or unusual discharge is frequently dismissed as a minor issue but can signal chlamydia or gonorrhea. Pelvic or lower abdominal pain in females may indicate pelvic inflammatory disease, while testicular pain or swelling in males can point to epididymitis — both with potential long-term consequences if untreated. Genital sores or ulcers, as well as rashes (especially with flu-like symptoms), may be signs of herpes or syphilis, which are often overlooked early on. Additionally, rectal symptoms or even a persistent sore throat after oral sex are commonly minimized but can reflect less obvious STI presentations. The challenge is that many of these symptoms are mild or intermittent, making them easy to ignore — yet early evaluation is key to preventing complications and reducing spread. The bottom line: If teens and young adults are sexually active, cannot guarantee their sexual partner(s) history and have new symptoms, they should be evaluated.

When a teen or young adult comes into urgent care after a new sexual encounter or possible exposure, how do clinicians typically evaluate next steps around testing, treatment and follow-up?

AG: It starts with a focused, confidential history — understanding timing of exposure, types of contact [oral, vaginal, anal], symptoms [if any] and risk factors — while being mindful of ensuring the patient is comfortable and does not feel judged. From there, clinicians determine appropriate site-specific testing [urine, vaginal/cervical swabs, throat or rectal testing] based on reported exposures, since infections can be asymptomatic or located outside the genital area.

Depending on the context, if a patient is symptomatic or reports a high-risk exposure, clinicians may provide empiric treatment for common infections like chlamydia and gonorrhea rather than waiting for results. They’ll also assess considerations such as HIV post-exposure prophylaxis [PEP] if the exposure is recent and high risk or emergency contraception when appropriate. Education is a key component — discussing abstaining from sex until results are known or treatment is completed, as well as partner notification and prevention strategies.

Follow-up is typically arranged based on results and risk level. Patients are advised to follow up on all results promptly, complete any prescribed treatment and return for retesting in about 3 months if diagnosed with an STI (due to high reinfection rates). If initial testing occurs very soon after exposure, clinicians may also recommend repeat testing after a designated amount of additional time to ensure accurate capture of positive results. Overall, the goal in urgent care is to provide immediate answers when possible, reduce transmission risk and ensure patients leave with a clear plan for next steps.

What do urgent care providers want parents and families to understand about when to seek care, how quickly to act and the role urgent care can play in early intervention?

AG: Timing and access matter when it comes to STI concerns — early evaluation can prevent more serious complications and reduce transmission. If teens and young adults are sexually active, cannot confidently verify their partner’s history and develop any new or unusual symptoms, they should be evaluated promptly rather than waiting to see if things improve. Many STI symptoms are mild or easily overlooked, but delays in care can lead to more complex conditions like pelvic inflammatory disease or ongoing spread to others. Urgent care plays an important role as a convenient, same-day access point where patients can receive timely testing, treatment and guidance without the delays often associated with primary care. Ultimately, seeking care quickly — especially after a new exposure or onset of symptoms — helps ensure earlier diagnosis, a simplified treatment plan, and better overall outcomes.