Lab Services

Immunizations

Lab Services (Appointment Required)

View/Download Brochure

Screening & Testing

Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance made in the liver and found in certain foods, such as food from animals, like dairy products (whole milk), eggs and meat. The body needs some cholesterol in order to function properly. Its cell walls, or membranes, need cholesterol in order to produce hormones, vitamin D and the bile acids that help to digest fat. But, the body needs only a small amount of cholesterol to meet its needs. When too much is present health problems such as coronary heart disease may develop.

Learn More

Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) Screening

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the United States and is the third leading cause of cancer related deaths in men and women in the United States, but it is also largely preventable. It is important to have regular colonoscopies after age 45 through 75 to detect polyps and remove them before they turn into cancer. Colorectal Cancer is preventable and highly curable when it is found early.

From the time the first abnormal cells start to grow into polyps, it usually takes about 10-15 years for them to develop into Colorectal Cancer, which is why it is important to get screened regularly. You may be at an increased risk if there has been colorectal polyps or colorectal cancer in your family, or you have inflammatory bowel disease; such as, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or you have a genetic syndrome such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or
hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer.

The Marion County Health Department is offering FREE Colorectal Cancer Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) kits. It is recommended that adults begin screenings at age 45-75. This non-invasive screening is for anyone 45-75 years of age who has NOT had a colonoscopy in the last 10 years, a sigmoidoscopy in the last 5 years, or history of colon cancer or prior colon resection. If your tests detects blood in the stool then, a referral will be made to your health care provider to determine the cause of the abnormal test result. The American Cancer Society and Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that you repeat FIT screenings once every year or receive a colonoscopy once every 10 years so that polyps can be detected and removed early.

Call the health department at 618-548-3878 to see if a FIT screening is right for you.

Lead Screening

Lead is a heavy metal and is one of the Earth’s fundamental substances, naturally occurring in the soil and air. Lead is a hazardous substance. Once lead is removed from ore, it cannot be destroyed. Lead has a long history as one of mankind’s most useful metals. It was used in many materials and products before the risk to children was known. Lead continues to pose health hazards today, even though much is known about the adverse health effects it can cause.

Children 6 months through 6 years of age are required to be assessed for risk of lead exposure or tested before entering day care, preschool, or kindergarten. Blood tests are recommended at ages 12 months and 24 months. The only way to know if a child has lead poisoning is by testing their blood.

Learn More

Free Confidential STD Testing: Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Syphilis and HIV

The Marion County Health Department offers testing for genitourinary (urine test), pharyngeal (throat swab) and rectal (rectal swab) for Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Syphilis and HIV. All clients that are 26 years of age or older must meet the Illinois Department of Public Health screening criteria for the Gonorrhea and Chlamydia testing to be performed. All clients are encouraged to get the 4 base STD test (Gonorrhea & Chlamydia urine test, Syphilis & HIV) there is no charge for these tests.

Learn More

Free Pregnancy Testing

Pregnancy Testing is available free of charge at the Marion County Health Department. Call for an appointment.