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.

Testing for infections is a routine part of prenatal care. It gives you and your care team the chance to treat or manage an infection early, which protects both you and your baby. These answers cover syphilis in pregnancy, congenital syphilis, prenatal STD testing and how to find testing in Austin.

The basics of prenatal STD testing

Why is STD testing part of prenatal care?

Some infections can pass to a baby during pregnancy or birth, often without any symptoms in the parent. Testing lets a clinician treat or manage the infection before it affects the baby. Testing is a standard part of care, and it says nothing about you personally.

Which tests does the CDC recommend?

The CDC STI Treatment Guidelines (2021) call for syphilis and HIV screening for pregnant people at the first prenatal visit. The CDC also recommends hepatitis B testing at that visit, and hepatitis C screening during each pregnancy. Chlamydia and gonorrhea screening is recommended for pregnant people under 25 and for older people at increased risk.

Will I be tested more than once?

Possibly. The CDC says repeat syphilis testing in the third trimester and at delivery is advised for people at increased risk or in areas with higher rates. Your clinician can tell you which repeat tests apply to your situation.

Does one negative result mean I am set for the whole pregnancy?

A negative result tells you what the test found on that day. New exposures after the test, or a test taken very early after an exposure, can change the picture. Ask your clinician about the CDC's guidance on timing and repeat testing.

Syphilis in pregnancy and congenital syphilis

What is congenital syphilis?

Congenital syphilis happens when syphilis passes from a pregnant person to their baby. The CDC says it can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, and serious health problems for an infant. It can be prevented when syphilis is found and treated in time.

Can syphilis in pregnancy be treated?

Yes. Syphilis is curable with treatment from a clinician. The CDC identifies penicillin as the recommended treatment during pregnancy, and your clinician decides what is right for you.

Why is syphilis tested for more than once?

Syphilis can be present without noticeable symptoms, and an infection can happen at any point in pregnancy. Repeat testing catches infections that a first-visit test could not. This is why Texas law, described below, includes more than one syphilis test.

How common is congenital syphilis in Texas?

The CDC's 2023 state ranking tables report 930 congenital syphilis cases in Texas, a rate of 238.6 per 100,000 live births. These numbers are a reason testing is built into prenatal care. They are not a reason to feel afraid.

What do the numbers look like in Austin?

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) 2022 STD Surveillance Report lists 418 primary and secondary syphilis cases in Travis County, a rate of 31.5 per 100,000. The DSHS statewide rate for the same year was 15.5 per 100,000. Our page on STD rates in Austin explains the latest data.

What Texas law says

What does Texas require for prenatal testing?

Texas Health and Safety Code Sec. 81.090 requires syphilis, HIV and hepatitis B tests at the first prenatal visit. It requires syphilis and HIV tests in the third trimester, not earlier than the 28th week. At delivery, syphilis and hepatitis B tests are required, and HIV testing applies if there is no third-trimester record.

Can I decline any of these tests?

Under Sec. 81.090, a pregnant person may object to the HIV tests, but not to the syphilis tests. If you have concerns about any test, raise them with your clinician. They can explain what each test is for.

Can a teenager consent to testing in Texas?

Yes. Texas Family Code Sec. 32.003 lets a minor of any age consent to diagnosis and treatment of a reportable infectious disease, which covers reportable STIs and HIV, and parental consent is not needed. The same section lets a physician tell a parent or guardian about the treatment, so a clinic cannot promise that a parent will never be told.

Are positive results reported to the health department?

The Texas DSHS notifiable conditions list for 2026 includes chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis (including congenital syphilis) and HIV. Clinicians and labs report these to public health. This reporting is how health departments track infections and offer follow-up support.

Other infections checked during pregnancy

Why is HIV testing done in pregnancy?

HIV is not curable, but it is treatable. The CDC says that with HIV care and treatment from a clinician during pregnancy, the chance of passing HIV to a baby can be very low. Testing early gives the most time to act.

What about chlamydia and gonorrhea?

Both are bacterial infections that are curable with treatment from a clinician. The CDC notes that left untreated in pregnancy, they can affect the pregnancy and the newborn. Many people have no symptoms, so screening is how they are usually found.

What about hepatitis B and hepatitis C?

The CDC recommends hepatitis B testing at the first prenatal visit and hepatitis C screening during every pregnancy. Knowing the result helps your care team plan for you and your newborn. Your clinician can explain follow-up if either test needs it.

Getting tested in Austin

Where can I get tested in Austin?

Your prenatal provider is the first stop, since they handle the routine tests. Other options are listed in our Austin clinic list, and the CDC's locator at gettested.cdc.gov can help too. When you call any clinic, say that you are pregnant so staff can tell you what they offer.

Is there a low-cost option?

Austin Public Health says the fee for testing and treatment at its Sexual Health Clinic is $30, and its standard tests are HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia. Call 512-972-5430 to schedule, and confirm hours and fees by phone, because the city's site notes that updates may be delayed. ASHwell says its testing services are always free, though medication may cost something; call (512) 900-3116.

Is there a walk-in option?

Kind Clinic says it offers walk-in testing for gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, HIV and hepatitis C at its Koenig Lane location, 101 W Koenig Lane, Ste 100. Walk-in hours differ from regular hours, so call 833-937-5463 first. Our guide to STD testing in Austin and what it costs compares more options.

What if my partner needs treatment too?

The CDC reports that Texas rules allow a clinician to prescribe STD medication for partners of an established patient. This is called expedited partner therapy, and it is a clinician's decision. Ask your clinician whether it applies to you.

STD Testing During Pregnancy in Texas