HIV, Syphilis, and Hepatitis B Testing for Pregnant Women in Texas
Clinicians in Texas, including physicians or any other person permitted to attend to a pregnant woman, must test every pregnant woman under their care for HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B unless she objects. The tests must take place during the pregnant woman's first prenatal visit and at delivery.
Effective January 1, 2010, the woman must be tested for HIV during her third trimester unless she objects. If there is no record of her test result from the third trimester, then the woman must be tested at delivery unless she objects The law also provides for expedited testing of the mother and newborn at delivery. To learn more, please read HIV, Syphilis and HBV Testing and Pregnancy: State Requirements for Texas Clinicians (PDF : 156 kb).
Provider Resources
Testing During Pregnancy [Texas Legislature] - Statutory reference from Texas Health and Safety Code
Informed Consent [Texas Legislature] - Statutory reference from Texas Health and Safety Code
General Consent [Texas Legislature] - Statutory reference from Texas Health and Safety Code
Counseling Required For Positive Test Results [Texas Legislature] - Statutory reference from Texas Health and Safety Code
DSHS Perinatal Hepatitis B Prevention Program
Mother-to-Child (Perinatal) HIV Transmission and Prevention (PDF : 44 kb) - DSHS Fact Sheet (English)
Partner Notification Information for Providers (PDF : 291 kb) - DSHS Provider Brochure (English)
Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) [FDA] - CLIA information from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
New drug regimens cut HIV spread from mother to infant [NIH]
Patient Resources
10 Questions About Pregnancy and HIV (PDF : 213 kb) (Patient information in English)
10 Preguntas Sobre el Embarazo y el VIH (PDF : 213 kb) (Patient information in Spanish)
Hepatitis B Vaccine can save Your Baby's Life (PDF : 831 kb) (Patient Information in English) - Available online and through the DSHS Warehouse, Stock # 11-11444
La vacuna contra la hepatitis B puede salvarle la vida a su bebe (PDF : 835 kb) (Patient information in Spanish) - Available online and through the DSHS Warehouse, Stock # 11-11444a
211 Texas [211 Texas] - Find an HIV/STD service provider in Texas.
HIVTEST.ORG [HIVTest.org] - HIV and STD testing resources.
The Perinatal Hotline (1-888-448-8765) is a free 24 hour clinical consultation and advice on treating HIV-infected pregnant women and their infants. The hotline also provides guidance on test results.