HIV/STD Program

HIV/STD Basics

• Get tested for HIV or STDs
• Testing positive for HIV: what's next?
• Find medical and support services
• Get help with medications
• Learn about PrEP
• HIV/STD educational materials
• Learn more about HIV and other STDs

Healthcare Providers

• How to report HIV and STDs
• HIV/STD testing and treatment guidelines
• Help patients connect with services
• Help patients get medications
• Learn about PrEP
• Expedited Partner Therapy
• DSHS Laboratory

DSHS HIV/STD Contractors

• HIV prevention
• HIV medical and support services
• Routine HIV testing
• STD prevention and treatment
• HIV/STD surveillance
• Funding information
• Training

Reports, Data, and Policies

• HIV/STD Program reports
• Interactive data: new HIV diagnoses | persons living with HIV | chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis
• Data requests
• Texas HIV/STD laws, rules, and authorization
• Program policies and procedures

Other Resources

TakeChargeTexas | THISIS | HIV and the Workplace | HIV Cluster Detection and Response | Texas HIV Syndicate | Medical Monitoring Project (MMP) | Texas Black Women's Initiative

Recent News

DSHS Endorses DoxyPEP

On June 6, 2024, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published the CDC Clinical Guidelines on the Use of Doxycycline Post-Exposure Prophylaxis for Bacterial Sexually Transmitted Infection Prevention.

The CDC's Dear Colleague Letter endorses DoxyPEP as the first new STD prevention tool in decades. DoxyPEP is the self-administration of 200 mg of doxycycline within 72 hours after sex to prevent bacterial STD acquisition.

Texas supports this endorsement as DoxyPEP has proven to reduce the risk of getting a bacterial STD for:

• Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, and
• Transgender women are at increased risk for infections.

These infections are specific to syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea.

Learn more about DoxyPEP.

Point of Care Testing for Syphilis

The National Syphilis and Congenital Syphilis Syndemic Federal Task Force created the Considerations for the Implementation of Point of Care (POC) for Syphilis document. The document addresses the challenges in diagnosis and treatment of syphilis developed considerations for point of care testing. The document emphasizes the often-asymptomatic nature of the infection and discusses the implementation of POC tests to facilitate rapid diagnosis and treatment during the same visit.

POC tests for syphilis differs from the traditional laboratory-based serologic testing primarily in specimen collection, time to result, need for confirmation, and sensitivity/specificity. While POC tests offers rapid results using whole blood from a fingerstick, it lacks the comprehensive assessment provided by laboratory-based tests, requiring confirmation and follow-up. It also underscores that laboratory-based testing remains the preferred option, particularly for individuals with a history of syphilis and low-risk individuals. Despite lower sensitivity and specificity, POC tests can be valuable, especially in settings with high incidence rates or where access to healthcare is limited.

View the Considerations for the Implementation of Point of Care (POC) for Syphilis document on the National Network of STD Prevention Training Centers webpage.

Texas DSHS Austin Laboratory Offers N. gonorrhoeae Culture and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (AST)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently issued a Dear Colleague Letter describing two gonococcal infections with concerning lab results identified in Massachusetts (see clinical alert). The first case had a cultured isolate that showed decreased susceptibility to ceftriaxone, cefixime, and azithromycin, as well as resistance to ciprofloxacin, tetracycline, and penicillin. Molecular testing confirmed that the reduced susceptibility to ceftriaxone was caused by a mutation in the penA60 allele, and a second case was found to have the penA60 allele through molecular surveillance. Although both cases were successfully clinically and microbiologically cured following treatment with ceftriaxone, these findings are concerning. Clinicians should be vigilant for suspected gonorrhea treatment failure. The Texas DSHS fact sheet Management of Gonorrhea Treatment Failure is a clinical resource. Local and regional health departments can consult the DSHS Antibiotic-Resistant Gonorrhea: Public Health Follow-up Guidelines in the event of a suspected or confirmed infection.

The Texas DSHS Austin Laboratory is now offering N. gonorrhoeae culture and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) free of charge to all submitters in Texas. Providers are encouraged to enroll as a Texas DSHS Austin Laboratory submitter now and order specimen collection swabs from the laboratory. Please see full notice from the Texas DSHS Austin Laboratory.

Expedited Partner Therapy

Sexually transmitted diseases continue to increase despite years-long prevention efforts to reduce the transmission of undiagnosed infections. Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT) is an intervention that has demonstrated successful outcomes by making it possible for providers to reach exposed partners who are unable or unwilling to come to the clinic. EPT is endorsed by CDC and many health organizations, like the Texas Medical Association. The HIV/STD Section Director released a Dear Provider Letter containing DSHS provider recommendations to routinely offer EPT to clients and promote partner treatment. Learn more about Expedited Partner Therapy in Texas.

Exploring an Epidemic: Congenital Syphilis in Texas Podcast

The Exploring an Epidemic: Congenital Syphilis in Texas podcast series aims to increase awareness and build shared knowledge in the management and prevention of syphilis and congenital syphilis for the public health workforce and their partner agencies who care for women of reproductive age and their babies. The series focuses on key strategies for providers, clinical administrators, clinic support staff, DIS, and the community to decrease the rising rate of syphilis and congenital syphilis in Texas. It aims to enhance syphilis screening, provide timely syphilis treatment, and work collaboratively to prevent new cases of congenital syphilis.

The podcast is a collaborative effort with the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Congenital Syphilis team, Public Health Follow-up staff, and the Denver Prevention Training Center. Listeners can find the podcast on platforms such as Apple, Spotify, and Google podcast by searching “Exploring an Epidemic: Congenital Syphilis in Texas.” Listen to the Exploring an Epidemic Podcast.

Home Testing and Home Self-Collection Guidance

DSHS provided interim guidance on the creation of policies for the use of FDA-approved home testing kits for HIV and Laboratory Developed Tests for self-collection kits for HIV, STDs, hepatitis C, and tests required for PrEP prescriptions. DSHS intends the interim guidance for use by programs funded or otherwise supported by the DSHS HIV/STD Section. Learn more about home testing | Home Testing and Self Collection Guidance 

This site contains HIV or STD messages that may not be deemed appropriate for all audiences. Since HIV and other STDs are spread primarily through sexual practices or by sharing needles, messages, and programs may address these topics. If you are not seeking such information or may be offended by such materials, please exit this website. Photos on this website are all posed by a model.