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.

Routine care in Dallas includes screening for several infections during pregnancy. This FAQ explains what the CDC, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) and Texas law say about STD testing during pregnancy. It also covers why syphilis gets special attention and where to find free or low-cost testing in Dallas.

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 noticeable symptoms. The CDC STI Treatment Guidelines (2021) recommend screening so that treatment and other care can start early. Testing is routine and is never a judgment about anyone.

Which tests does the CDC recommend?

The CDC recommends that all pregnant people be tested for HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B at the first prenatal visit. The CDC also recommends hepatitis C testing during each pregnancy. For chlamydia and gonorrhea, the CDC guidelines recommend screening for people under 25 and for older people at increased risk.

What if my situation changes later in pregnancy?

The CDC guidelines call for repeat testing in the third trimester for some people, depending on risk. A new partner, a partner who was diagnosed with an infection, or symptoms are all worth mentioning to your clinician. They can decide which tests make sense for you.

What can a test result tell me?

A test shows whether a particular infection was detected in your sample. Only a clinician can interpret that result alongside your history and any follow-up testing. If a result is unclear, a second test is a normal next step.

Syphilis in pregnancy and congenital syphilis

What is syphilis in pregnancy?

Syphilis is a bacterial infection that can pass to a baby during pregnancy. The CDC says it is curable with treatment from a clinician. Because it often causes no signs you would notice, a blood test is how it is usually found.

What is congenital syphilis?

Congenital syphilis is syphilis passed from a pregnant person to their baby. The CDC says it can lead to serious outcomes, including pregnancy loss, stillbirth and health problems for a newborn. It is preventable when syphilis is found and treated during pregnancy.

What does the USPSTF recommend?

The USPSTF recommends early screening for syphilis infection in all pregnant women. This is the same reason syphilis is on the routine prenatal list rather than only tested when symptoms appear.

How common is congenital syphilis in Texas?

CDC STI Surveillance 2023 reports 930 congenital syphilis cases in Texas, a rate of 238.6 per 100,000 live births. These numbers are the reason routine screening matters. They are not a reason to feel alarmed about your own pregnancy.

How does syphilis in Dallas County compare with the rest of Texas?

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) reports 4,223 syphilis cases of all stages in Dallas County in 2022, or 162.4 per 100,000 people. The statewide rate in the same DSHS report was 86.6 per 100,000. You can read more in our look at the latest Dallas STD rate data.

Can syphilis be treated during pregnancy?

Yes. The CDC says penicillin is the recommended treatment for syphilis in pregnancy, and a clinician prescribes it. Follow-up blood tests are part of care so your clinician can check that treatment is working.

What Texas law requires

Does Texas require syphilis testing in pregnancy?

Yes. Texas Health and Safety Code Sec. 81.090 calls for a syphilis, HIV and hepatitis B test at the first prenatal examination. It also calls for a syphilis and HIV test in the third trimester, not earlier than the 28th week.

What testing happens at delivery?

Under the same statute, syphilis and hepatitis B tests are done on admission for delivery. If no third-trimester syphilis or HIV result is in the record, syphilis and expedited HIV testing happens at delivery. If that was not done, the newborn is tested within 2 hours of birth.

Can I decline any of these tests?

Texas Health and Safety Code Sec. 81.090 says the woman may object to the HIV tests, but it gives no such option for the syphilis tests. If you have questions about HIV testing, a clinician can explain it. The CDC notes that HIV is treatable, and treatment during pregnancy helps protect the baby.

Are results reported to the state?

Texas DSHS lists chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and HIV as notifiable conditions in its 2026 notifiable conditions list. Primary and secondary syphilis are reportable within 1 work day, and other stages, including congenital syphilis, within 1 week. This is a routine public health step used to track infections in the community.

Can a pregnant teen consent to testing?

Texas Family Code Sec. 32.003 lets a minor of any age consent to diagnosis and treatment of reportable infectious diseases, and parent consent is not necessary. The same section allows a physician to tell a parent or guardian, so it is fair to ask a clinic about its privacy practices first.

Partners and follow-up

Should my partner be tested too?

The CDC STI Treatment Guidelines recommend that sex partners be evaluated and treated when an infection is found. This helps prevent passing the infection back and forth. Your clinician can walk you through the next steps without blame.

Can a partner get treatment without a separate visit?

The CDC's legal summary for Texas says Texas Medical Board rules do not require a practitioner-patient relationship for a physician to prescribe STD medication for the partner of an established patient. It also says pharmacists may dispense these prescriptions. Ask your clinician whether this applies to your situation.

Where to get tested in Dallas

Where can I get tested through the county?

The Dallas County Health and Human Services Sexual Health Clinic is at 2377 N. Stemmons Freeway, 1st Floor, Suite 100, phone (214) 819-1819. Appointments are required, and the county page says same-day or next-day appointments are offered. Hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Wednesday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The page lists no fees, and says routine testing without symptoms is directed to the county's Mobile Medical Unit, so call to confirm the best option.

Are there low-cost options?

Prism Health North Texas says it uses sliding fee rates based on household income and size, and it accepts Medicaid, Medicare, CHIP and most private insurance. Its Oak Lawn Health Center is at 2801 Lemmon Ave, Suite 200, phone 214-521-5191. The CDC GetTested listing for Foremost Family Health Centers' Martin Luther King Jr Family Clinic, (214) 426-3645, also shows a sliding scale. See the local testing list and our guide to STD testing in Dallas and what it costs.

What should I ask at my first prenatal visit?

Ask which infections are in your routine panel and when repeat tests are planned. Ask how results reach you and whether any test is optional. If you have not yet found a prenatal provider, the CDC's locator at gettested.cdc.gov can help you find testing sites by ZIP code.

STD Testing During Pregnancy in Texas