Testing

Know the facts.

Every STD is different, both in the symptoms it may cause and how to treat it.

There is one thing that is the same about every STD — the only way to know if you have one is by getting tested. If you and your partners want to stay safe and free of STDs, you should get tested regularly.

Sometimes it can be hard to tell if you need to get tested for an STD. If you or your partners have any of the symptoms of an STD — or if you’re worried at all that you may have contracted one — you should go ahead and do it. If you test negative, you can take steps to stay that way. If you test positive, you can get treatment to protect your partners, stay healthy, and extend your life and enhance its quality.

Check the FAQ page for more information about testing.

Know your risk.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that 1 in 5 Americans living with HIV do not know they have it. If you have never been tested for HIV, you should get tested at least once.

The CDC recommends that you test for HIV at least once a year if you do things that can increase your chances of getting HIV. These include:

• Injecting drugs or steroids with used needles or works
• Having sex for money or drugs
• Having sex with an HIV-infected person
• Having more than one sex partner since your last HIV test
• Having a sex partner who has had other sex partners since your last HIV test
• Talk to your health-care provider about how often you need to be tested for HIV.

Get tested.

To find a testing location near you, simply choose your city from the list below or visit the DSHS HIV and STD Testing page.

Texas Cities

last updated June 30, 2023