This page is general health information, not medical advice. It cannot tell you whether you have an infection. A clinician can, and the testing options on this site are a good place to start.

Prenatal care in Texas includes routine blood tests for several infections. Testing is how a care team finds an infection early, so treatment can protect both the pregnant person and the baby. This page answers common questions about STD testing during pregnancy, with Houston clinics and Texas rules where they apply.

The basics of prenatal STD testing

Why are pregnant people tested for STDs?

Some infections can pass to a baby during pregnancy or birth, and many cause no symptoms in the parent. The CDC STI Treatment Guidelines (2021) recommend routine screening for this reason. Finding an infection early gives a clinician time to treat it.

Which infections does CDC recommend testing for?

CDC recommends that all pregnant people be tested for syphilis, HIV and hepatitis B. CDC also recommends hepatitis C screening during each pregnancy. Chlamydia and gonorrhea screening depends on age and risk, and CDC advises it for people under 25 and for older people at increased risk.

Will I get every test?

Not always. Syphilis, HIV and hepatitis B are part of standard prenatal screening, while other tests depend on age, history and symptoms. Your prenatal clinician can tell you which tests apply to you.

When in pregnancy does STD testing happen?

Most screening is done at the first prenatal visit. CDC says some people are tested again later in pregnancy, depending on risk and local infection rates. Texas law sets specific timing for syphilis, covered below.

Syphilis in pregnancy and congenital syphilis

What is syphilis in pregnancy?

Syphilis is a bacterial infection that can be present without obvious symptoms. During pregnancy, CDC says it can pass to the baby. A blood test is how a clinician checks for it.

What is congenital syphilis?

Congenital syphilis is syphilis passed from a pregnant parent to the baby. CDC says it can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth or serious health problems for a newborn. Testing and timely treatment during pregnancy are the main ways to prevent it.

What does Texas require for prenatal syphilis testing?

Texas Health and Safety Code Sec. 81.090 requires a syphilis test at the first prenatal visit. It also requires one in the third trimester, not earlier than the 28th week. At delivery, syphilis testing is done on admission, and it happens at delivery or for the newborn if no third-trimester result is on record.

How common is congenital syphilis in Texas?

CDC's 2023 surveillance tables list 930 congenital syphilis cases in Texas, a rate of 238.6 per 100,000 live births. Those numbers are a reason clinicians repeat testing later in pregnancy. They describe the state, not any one person.

What do the numbers look like in Harris County?

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) 2022 STD Surveillance Report counted 5,670 syphilis cases of all stages in Harris County. Of those, 1,082 were primary or secondary syphilis. For more local figures, see our page on what the latest Houston STD data shows.

Can syphilis in pregnancy be treated?

Yes. Syphilis is curable with treatment from a clinician. CDC says penicillin is the recommended treatment in pregnancy, and the clinician chooses the plan and follow-up testing.

HIV, hepatitis, chlamydia and gonorrhea

Is HIV testing part of prenatal care in Texas?

Yes. Under Texas Health and Safety Code Sec. 81.090, HIV testing is part of prenatal screening at the first visit and in the third trimester. The same law lets a pregnant person object to the HIV tests, but not the syphilis tests. If you have questions about the HIV test, ask your clinician before the visit.

Why does HIV testing matter during pregnancy?

HIV is treatable, though not curable. CDC says HIV treatment during pregnancy greatly lowers the chance of passing HIV to the baby. Knowing a result early gives the care team more time to plan.

How soon after exposure can HIV be found?

CDC says an antigen/antibody lab test on blood from a vein can detect HIV 18 to 45 days after exposure. Other test types have different windows. A clinician can explain which test fits your timeline.

Why test for chlamydia and gonorrhea?

Both are bacterial infections that often have no symptoms, and CDC says they can affect pregnancy and newborns. A urine sample or swab is usually enough for the test. Both are curable with treatment from a clinician.

What about hepatitis B and hepatitis C?

Texas law includes hepatitis B testing at the first prenatal visit and on admission for delivery. CDC recommends hepatitis C screening during each pregnancy. A positive result can lead to care for the parent and steps to protect the baby, and a clinician will explain them.

Getting tested in Houston

Where can I get tested in Houston?

The Houston Health Department offers STD and HIV testing at Northside Health Center, Sharpstown Health Services and the Sunnyside Health and Multi-Service Center. Harris County Public Health runs the Antoine Clinic at 5815 Antoine Dr. You can compare more options in our list of Houston testing clinics.

What does testing cost?

Harris County Public Health lists its Antoine Clinic services as free. The Houston Health Department health centers use a sliding scale. Legacy Community Health says HIV, syphilis and hepatitis C testing at its Montrose clinic is free, and its page does not list prices for a full STI panel. Our guide to STD testing in Houston and what it costs has more detail.

Do I need an appointment?

It depends on the clinic. Harris County Public Health says walk-ins are welcome at Antoine, and its page lists Monday to Thursday 8am to 7pm, closed Friday, and every other Saturday 8am to 2pm. The Houston Health Department says walk-ins are seen as capacity permits, with appointments encouraged from September 1, 2026. Call 832-393-4220 for its centers or 832-927-7350 for Antoine to confirm.

Can a teen get tested without a parent's consent?

Texas Family Code Sec. 32.003 lets a minor of any age consent to diagnosis and treatment of a reportable infectious disease, which includes reportable STIs and HIV. The same section lets a physician tell a parent or guardian, with or without the minor's consent. Houston Health Department also notes that Texas SB 1188 gives parents access to a minor's online health record.

What about my partner?

Partners often need testing or treatment too, so repeat infections can be avoided. CDC's Texas entry says Texas rules allow clinicians to prescribe medicine for partners of an established patient. Ask your clinician how this works for your situation.

Are there options besides visiting a clinic?

DSHS runs Test for Texas, a free mail-in kit for HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia for anyone in Texas aged 13 and older, ordered at testfortexas.org. Harris County Public Health's Testing123 sends staff to a location you choose in Harris or Montgomery County for free HIV and syphilis testing. Share any result with your prenatal clinician.

What can I ask at my prenatal visit?

You can ask which tests are included, when each will be repeated, and how you will receive results. You can also ask what happens next if a test comes back positive. To find other testing sites, CDC's GetTested locator is a free tool.

STD Testing During Pregnancy in Texas