The Albany County Department of Health (ACDOH) STI Clinic provides confidential screening, diagnosis and treatment for STIs to Albany County residents. If you think you have an STI or may have been exposed to someone with an STI, STOP having sex and visit your medical provider or come to the ACDOH STI clinic or another provider of STI services in the community.

Clinic Hours

Tuesday and Thursday Mornings.
All patients are required to schedule an appointment by calling (518) 447-4589.

Eligibility

Anyone 12 years of age or older, who is a resident of Albany County, or is a student attending college in Albany County, is eligible to be seen in the STI clinic. By law, parental consent is not required for individuals under the age of 19 years.

Confidentiality

Your medical records are confidential. This means that no one, except authorized ACDOH personnel, has access to information in your record about the care received at the STI clinic without your written consent. We cannot share your information about tests performed or results with your partner(s), parents, guardians, teachers or employers.

What You Need to Bring

Please bring a picture ID and proof of address. This helps to ensure that we have accurate information in case we need to contact you about your test results or need for treatment. Providing a false name, address or telephone number can make it difficult to provide necessary follow-up.

Please bring proof of insurance, if available.

Payment

We accept most insurance plans. If you are uninsured, we have a sliding-fee scale based on your ability to pay. We can also connect you with a Navigator who can assist you with getting health insurance you can afford. No one is denied testing or treatment based on their ability to pay.

Language Resources

We have access to interpreters by phone for patients who cannot speak English.

What to Expect

When you arrive at the clinic, check-in at the registration desk.

The registration staff will give you a number and you will be called by your number, not your name, to protect your privacy.

You will also be given paperwork to complete, including consent to provide care and consent to bill your insurance, if applicable. If you need assistance completing the paperwork someone will gladly help you.

Once you have registered, a clinic nurse will call you by your number and you will be brought back to a private exam room. The nurse will take this opportunity to review your medical history and the reason why you have come to the STI clinic. It is very important for your medical care that you answer questions openly and honestly. Our staff are all professionals who are here to help you. Based on your conversation with the nurse, you will be provided with the appropriate testing, counseling and medical services. This may include an evaluation by the clinic provider, if needed. There is always one physician or nurse practitioner available to see patients. If indicated, you may be given medication (pills or an injection) at the time of your visit. If you think it is likely you will be given medication, we encourage you to eat something before your clinic visit. This helps prevent any nausea or upset stomach that some medications cause.

After your visit, the clinic staff will contact you by phone if any of your tests come back positive and will let you know what actions you need to take. If your test results are negative, we do not call you.

Services We Provide

We are limited to the diagnosis and treatment of STIs.

We do testing for HIV (rapid test, results available at time of visit), chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, trichomoniasis or trich (women only), bacterial vaginosis or BV, vaginal yeast infection, and genital herpes.

Treatment is provided for certain infections/diagnoses including chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, trich, BV, yeast infection, herpes, scabies and pubic lice.

We offer immunization for Hepatitis A and B for those not previously immunized.

Services We Do Not Provide

We do not do hepatitis C testing.

We are not a primary care clinic. We do not do routine physicals, GYN exams, PAP smears, or prescribe birth control. We do not treat genital warts or molluscum. We do not provide treatment for HIV/AIDS.

If you need these services we can assist you with finding a provider.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about our clinic or the services we provide, please call (518) 447-4589.

Other Places to Get HIV/STI Testing

Find an STI Test: Search for testing locations by zip code.

For More Information on STIs

• Visit Take Control of Your Sexual Health for information on STIs, how to reduce your risk of exposure, and additional resources.
• Check out Facebook, Take Control New York: Your relationships. Your sexual health. Take Control!
• Act Youth Network: Created by and for youth from all over New York State with information on how to Take Control of your sexual health
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Related Conditions: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases Educational Materials: New York State Department of Health
• STI and HIV Screening Recommendations: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• STI Prevention Guidelines: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention