Sexual Health Testing and Education in Sumner County

Sumner County residents can start with the Gallatin Regional Health Center at 1005 Union School Road. The county health department says people age 11 and older who may have been exposed to an STI, have symptoms or had unprotected sex can receive confidential testing and treatment, with services provided according to the department’s fee policies. Call 615-206-1100 before visiting to confirm availability, testing needs and current fees. The Tennessee HIV/STD Hotline is 1-800-525-2437.

If you need STI or HIV testing in Sumner County, the most direct official starting point is the Gallatin Regional Health Center, part of the Sumner County Health Department. The clinic is at 1005 Union School Road in Gallatin and lists sexually transmitted disease services, family planning, pregnancy testing and health education among its services. Call 615-206-1100 before visiting to confirm the current process and the type of care you need.

This guide is for adults, teens and students looking for a confidential local starting point. It is general health information, not a diagnosis or substitute for care from a licensed clinician.

Where to start with sexual-health testing in Sumner County

Gallatin Regional Health Center

Sumner County Health Department — Gallatin Clinic

1005 Union School Road

Gallatin, TN 37066

Phone: 615-206-1100

Published office hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The county says anyone age 11 or older who thinks they may have been exposed to an STD, has symptoms or has had unprotected sex may come to the health department for confidential testing and treatment. The county also says parental consent is not required for that service. Because clinic procedures and availability can change, call first and ask whether you need an appointment, what identification or payment information is required, and which tests are available.

The health department lists confidential STD testing, treatment and contact follow-up, including HIV/AIDS services. It also lists family planning, which includes education, counseling, physical examinations and birth control.

Other official Sumner County locations

The Tennessee listing for local health departments also identifies a Portland clinic at 214 West Longview Drive, Portland, with the phone number 615-325-5237 and published weekday hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The same listing marks the Hendersonville clinic at 351 New Shackle Island Road as temporarily closed. Confirm current status and services by phone before traveling.

For statewide navigation, the Tennessee Department of Health lists an HIV/STD Hotline at 1-800-525-2437 for callers in Tennessee. The department says counselors can provide information about sexually transmitted diseases, how they are transmitted and where testing is available. Published hotline hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central time.

What STI and HIV testing may involve

There is no single test that checks for every STI. A clinician may recommend urine, blood or swab testing based on your symptoms, recent exposure, sexual practices and the parts of the body involved. For example, a person who has had oral or anal sex may need to discuss testing at those exposure sites rather than assuming a urine test answers every question. The Tennessee Department of Health identifies urine and several clinician- or patient-collected swab types for chlamydia and gonorrhea testing.

STIs often cause no symptoms. The CDC recommends discussing your sexual history and current practices openly with a health care provider so the provider can determine which tests are appropriate. CDC guidance says everyone ages 13 to 64 should be tested for HIV at least once, while the timing and frequency of other STI tests depend on factors such as age, sexual history, symptoms and exposure.

Before your visit, be prepared to share:

• When the possible exposure occurred.
• Whether you have symptoms and when they began.
• Whether the exposure involved vaginal, oral or anal sex.
• Whether a condom or other barrier was used.
• Any recent STI diagnosis or treatment.
• Current medications, allergies and pregnancy possibility, if relevant.
• Whether you want to discuss HIV prevention, contraception or pregnancy testing.

You do not need to decide in advance which tests you need. The clinician can explain the options and whether follow-up testing is appropriate.

Contraception, pregnancy testing and prevention education

The Sumner County Health Department lists family-planning services that include education, counseling, physical examinations and birth control. It also states that pregnancy testing is available and that parental consent is not required for a pregnancy test. Call the Gallatin clinic to confirm the current appointment process, costs and available methods.

STI prevention and pregnancy prevention overlap, but they are not identical. Many contraceptive methods help prevent pregnancy but do not protect against STIs. Condoms and other barriers can reduce the risk of some STIs, while testing and communication help partners make informed decisions. The CDC describes prevention as a combination of approaches, including testing, proper condom use and mutually agreed safer-sex practices.

If HIV prevention is a concern, ask a clinician about PrEP, medicine for people without HIV who may be exposed through sex or injection drug use. CDC guidance says PrEP does not prevent other STIs or pregnancy, so it may be used alongside condoms, STI screening and contraception when appropriate..

Resources for teens, students and parents

Tennessee’s health-education standards cover K-12 health education, including high-school Lifetime Wellness. Revised standards approved for implementation beginning July 1, 2026, address health knowledge and behaviors related to disease prevention, healthy decision-making and risks associated with HIV, other STIs and unintended pregnancy. The state’s standards are a framework; they do not by themselves confirm the exact materials or schedule used by Sumner County Schools..

Tennessee law establishes requirements for family-life instruction, including factually and medically accurate information, healthy relationships, puberty, pregnancy, childbirth and STIs such as HIV/AIDS. It also places restrictions on how family-life education is presented and allows parents to review or ask questions about school instruction under applicable district procedures. Families should contact the student’s school or Sumner County Schools for the current curriculum, parent notice and any excusal process rather than relying on a general state summary..

For a private health question, a student can begin with the county health department or a licensed medical provider. When calling, ask specifically about confidentiality, age-related consent rules, billing, test results and whether a parent or guardian must be involved for the service being requested.

What to do after a possible HIV exposure

If a possible HIV exposure occurred recently, do not wait for routine test results before asking about PEP, or post-exposure prophylaxis. CDC clinical guidance says PEP should be evaluated as soon as possible and is generally considered when the exposure occurred within 72 hours. A clinician may also evaluate pregnancy risk and other STIs.

Call the Gallatin clinic, the Tennessee HIV/STD Hotline or seek prompt medical care and clearly state that you are asking about HIV PEP after a recent exposure. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, severe symptoms or an immediate safety concern, call 911 or go to an emergency department.

A practical appointment checklist

Before leaving home, consider bringing or preparing:

1. A photo ID and insurance information, if available. Ask whether either is required.
2. A list of medications and allergies.
3. The approximate date and type of any possible exposure.
4. Your preferred phone number or secure way to receive results.
5. Questions about confidential billing, fees and follow-up.
6. Information about pregnancy possibility or contraception needs, if relevant.
7. A request for written instructions about treatment, retesting and partner notification.

Do not take leftover antibiotics or someone else’s medication. Some infections require specific treatment, and an incorrect medication can delay diagnosis or make follow-up more difficult.

Questions to ask before you go

• Do I need an appointment or are walk-ins accepted?
• Which STI and HIV tests are available at this location?
• Is testing confidential for my age and situation?
• What will I pay, and is the fee based on income?
• How and when will I receive results?
• What should I do if a result is positive?
• Can I discuss birth control, emergency contraception, pregnancy testing, PrEP or PEP at the same visit?
• If I need care outside the health department, where should I go?

Last verified and next review

Last researched: August 15, 2026

Recommended next review: November 13, 2026

Authorities checked: Sumner County Health Department, Tennessee Department of Health, Tennessee Department of Education and CDC.

Because clinic hours, closure status, fees, testing availability and school policies can change, call before visiting and use the official agency information linked from this page.