HIV and STD Information
HIV and STDs
HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus, the virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). STDs are Sexually Transmitted Diseases, which include HIV and other infections like chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, syphilis, and HPV.
HIV and other STDs are often contracted through sexual contact (vaginal, anal, or oral sex). Many infections are also passed through sharing needles, contact with infected blood, or from mother to baby during pregnancy or birth. HIV and other STDs are not passed casually through things like hugging or shaking hands. Each infection is different.
HIV Symptoms
Many people with HIV do not have symptoms for several years after becoming infected. Some people may produce mild, temporary flu-like symptoms or swollen glands right after infection. When left untreated, HIV can develop symptoms of AIDS which are usually more severe. The only way to know if you are infected is to get tested.
Other STD Symptoms
Many people do not have any symptoms. Those that do can have pain when urinating, a discharge, or blisters in the genital area. Each STD causes different symptoms. The only way to know if you are infected is to get tested.
Learn more about: HIV/AIDS | Chlamydia | Gonorrhea | Syphilis | Congenital Syphilis | Hepatitis C | Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) | Hepatitis A | Hepatitis B | Hepatitis D | Hepatitis E | Herpes | Human Papillomavirus (HPV) | Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) | Pubic Lice | Scabies | Trichomoniasis | Yeast (Thrush)
Get Tested for HIV and STDs
Free and low-cost testing for HIV and other STDs is available in many locations across Texas. Learn more about where to get tested.
Get Help
For questions about HIV and other STDs, call 800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636).
Educational Materials
Electronic and printed educational materials are available from DSHS. You can view, download, and order materials from the educational materials page.
The Program Materials Review Panel (PMRP) also reviews many new publications, videos, and other educational materials for DSHS HIV/STD prevention activities. Materials come from the federal government, other states, local communities and community-based organizations, clinics and health providers, schools, and service organizations. Visit the PMRP page to view the list of materials reviewed.
HIV/STD Observances
- About the DSHS HIV/STD Program
- Contact Us
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- HIV Administrative Agencies
- HIV/STD Service Providers – Abilene – Amarillo – Arlington – Austin
- HIV/STD Service Providers – Beaumont – Belton – Bryan
- HIV/STD Service Providers – Cameron – Cleveland – Corpus Christi – Cotulla
- HIV/STD Service Providers – Dallas – Denton
- HIV/STD Service Providers – Eagle Pass – El Paso
- HIV/STD Service Providers – Farmers Branch – Fort Worth
- HIV/STD Service Providers – Galveston
- HIV/STD Service Providers – Hallettsville – Harlingen – Hillsboro – Houston
- HIV/STD Service Providers – Killeen – Kingsville
- HIV/STD Service Providers – Laredo – Longview – Lubbock – Lufkin
- HIV/STD Service Providers – McAllen – McKinney – Midland
- HIV/STD Service Providers – Nacogdoches – Odessa
- HIV/STD Service Providers – Palestine – Plano – Richmond – Robstown
- HIV/STD Service Providers – San Angelo – San Antonio – San Marcos – Sherman
- HIV/STD Service Providers – Temple – Texarkana – Texas City – Tyler
- HIV/STD Service Providers – Uvalde – Victoria – Waco – Wichita Falls
- HIV and STD Testing in Texas
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- Border Report Section 1 – Executive Summary
- Border Report Section 2 – HIV, STDs, and TB in the Texas-Mexico Border Region
- Border Report Section 3 – Population and Demographics of the Texas-Mexico Border Region
- Border Report Section 4 – HIV Diagnoses and People Living with HIV
- Border Report Section 5 – Sexually Transmitted Diseases
- Border Report Section 6 – Tuberculosis
- Border Report – Table Appendix
- HIV and Viral Hepatitis Prevention and Treatment Resources in Texas
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Contractor Resources – HIV Medical and Psychosocial Support Services Open submenu links Close submenu links
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- Outpatient/Ambulatory Health Services
- Home and Community-Based Health Services
- Referral for Health Care and Support Services
- Non-Medical Case Management
- Home Health Care
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- Housing Services
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- Health Education-Risk Reduction – Minority AIDS Initiative
- Outreach Services – Minority AIDS Initiative
- Medical Nutrition Therapy
- Health Insurance Premium and Cost Sharing Assistance
- Psychosocial Support Services
- Medical Transportation Services
- Emergency Financial Assistance
- Child Care
- Medical Case Management (including Treatment Adherence Services)
- Mental Health Services
- Substance Abuse Outpatient Care
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- Universal Standards
- Telemedicine Guide Resources
- Telemedicine, Teledentistry, and Telehealth for HIV Core and Support Services
- Primary and Secondary Service Categories
- Public Comment on the Updated HIV Standards of Care
- Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS
- HIV Services Program Reports
- Technical Assistance
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- THISIS Help Desk
- THISIS Training Manuals
- THISIS Resources and Forms
- THISIS Training Videos
- THISIS Tip Sheets
- THISIS Workflows
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- THISIS FAQ – Labs
- THISIS FAQ – System Access
- THISIS FAQ – Clinical
- THISIS FAQ – Event
- THISIS FAQ – Follow-Up
- THISIS FAQ – Workflows
- THISIS FAQ – HIV Surveillance
- THISIS FAQ – Notes
- THISIS FAQ – Partner-Clusters
- THISIS FAQ – Public Health Follow-Up
- THISIS FAQ – Reporting-Morbidity
- THISIS FAQ – Reports
- THISIS FAQ – Risk Factors
- THISIS FAQ – Syphilis
- THISIS FAQ – Case Assignment Field Record
- THISIS FAQ – Co-Infection Management
- THISIS FAQ – Congenital Syphilis
- THISIS FAQ – Facilities
- THISIS FAQ - General
- THISIS FAQ – Assigning and Tracking Cases-Field Records
- THISIS FAQ – Helpful Tips
- THISIS Glossary
- DSHS TB/HIV/STD Security and Database Account Management
- Medical Monitoring Project (MMP)
- Texas HIV Surveillance Procedure Manual
- HIV/AIDS Data Changes 2010
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- Contractor Resources – Routine HIV Testing
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- HIV/STD Planning
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- Records Retention
- HIV/STD Security Procedures
- Laws, Rules, and Authorization