Proposed New Policy – Program Income
The DSHS HIV/STD Program is proposing a new Program Income policy. The policy defines program income within all programs of the Division of Laboratory and Infectious Disease Services (LIDS), and the requirements of associated entities that receive funding, or in-kind services from DSHS.
As part of this process, DSHS asks providers, consumers, and interested stakeholders to review the proposed policy and provide comments. We value your opinion and hope that you will take the time to review and give feedback. Please submit comments to
Betsy.Cohn@dshs.texas.gov. Public comment will be accepted until July 29, 2020.
June 27 is National HIV Testing Day
National HIV Testing Day is a day to encourage people of all ages to get tested and know their status. DSHS estimates that there are about 16,000 Texans who have undiagnosed HIV infections—that means that about 16% of Texans with HIV don’t know their status. Learn more...
Home Testing and Home Self-Collection Guidance Roll-Out
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. This interim guidance is intended for use by programs funded or otherwise supported by the DSHS TB/HIV/STD Section. Learn more (PDF : 1,740 kB)
Congenital Syphilis Cases on the Rise
Congenital syphilis cases reported to the Texas Department of State Health Services more than doubled last year amid an ongoing increase in syphilis among women of childbearing age and an enhanced public health effort to detect and track cases. There were 367 cases of congenital syphilis in Texas in 2018, up from 164 in 2017.
Learn more
CDC Releases Update on Status of HIV Testing, Viral Suppression, and PrEP
CDC released Vital Signs: Status of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Testing, Viral Suppression, and HIV Preexposure Prophylaxis — United States, 2013–2018 [CDC] on December 3, 2019.
Treatment as Prevention
The CDC recently released a letter encouraging providers to continue spreading the word about the power of viral suppression to improve the health of people with HIV and to prevent the sexual transmission of HIV. For Antiretroviral Therapy (ART), the science is strong and clear; the data show that the effectiveness for ART with viral suppression is estimated to be 100% for preventing sexual transmission of HIV.
Read the letter (PDF : 210 kB).
Health Advisory: Rapidly Growing Clusters of Ongoing HIV Transmission in Texas
DSHS encourages Texas healthcare providers to enhance efforts to prevent, diagnose and treat HIV in the wake of 16 rapidly growing clusters of HIV infections in the state. Laboratory analysis of these infections indicates sustained transmission of genetically similar types of HIV... read the Health Advisory: Rapidly Growing Clusters of Ongoing HIV Transmission in Texas (PDF : 327 kB) and
read the Molecular HIV Surveillance - Genotype Clusters Talking Points (PDF : 189 kB)
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 web site. Photos on this website are all posed by a model.