News & Events
DSHS Changes HIV/AIDS Data Reporting Practices
The DSHS TB/HIV/STD Unit is changing the way it produces and reports HIV/AIDS data for surveillance reports, epidemiologic profiles and data requests. Learn more about DSHS HIV/AIDS data reporting changes. Posted 8/30/2010
Pre-Existing Insurance Plan Guidance from DSHS
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently announced the establishment of a new Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP) that will offer coverage to uninsured Americans who have been unable to obtain health coverage because of a pre-existing health condition including HIV/AIDS. PCIP began taking applications on July 1st, although premiums will not be final until July 15. To learn more see the DSHS PCIP guidance sheet (PDF : 32 kb). Posted 7/8/2010
 Hurricane Season
If you are impacted by a hurricane or other disaster and have questions about HIV medication or services, please contact the Texas HIV Medication Program at 1-800-255-1090. Learn more about disaster preparedness for Texas HIV Medication Program clients. Posted 6/30/2010
Express Visit
In response to increasing patient demand for STD screening and limited provider resources, some have implemented the "Express Visit" option as a routine part of care at STD clinics. With Express Visits, individuals who have no symptoms and report no known exposure to an STD can choose to be screened for STDs without having to be examined by a physician -- though a medical examination is available to any patient who requests it. Prior to the introduction of Express Visits, individuals seeking STD testing at these clinics had no option other than being examined by a clinician. In one study, researchers found the Express Visit option significantly increased the number of patients who were tested for STDs and identified a greater number of STD cases, while still allowing clinics to treat the same proportion of infected individuals within 30 days of screening.
If you are considering express services in your clinic, sample protocol (PDF : 10 kb) and a sample express clinic form (PDF : 57 kb) are available on the DSHS website. Posted 6/21/2010
HIV/AIDS in Texas, 2008 (PDF : 285 kb)
In 2008, there were 63,019 persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Texas. Over the past few years, PLWHA show a net increase of about 3,400 cases each year. The rate of the Black population living with HIV/AIDS in 2008 was four to five times the rate in White and Hispanic persons. A substantial number of new AIDS cases were diagnosed within one year of HIV diagnosis. Posted 4/19/2010
New Resource to Decrease Perinatal HIV Transmission
The Texas Consortium for Perinatal HIV Prevention (TCPHP) has released a set of guidelines and recommendations for the prevention of perinatal HIV transmission in Texas. The handbook contains recommendations for HIV testing of pregnant women in Texas as well as guidelines for care of HIV-infected pregnant women. To access the complete 23 page handbook, please visit: http://www.aidseducation.org/documents/PerinatalHIVGuidelines.pdf [AETC]. Please direct any questions related to the handbook to
. Posted 1/29/2010
 DSHS Fact Sheet on the Decline of Viral Hepatitis A and B in Texas
The cases of hepatitis A and B in Texas have declined dramatically in the past few years due to the implementation of practical immunization policy and increasing vaccination rates. Please share this public health success story with your colleagues through distribution of the DSHS fact sheet (PDF : 218 kb). Posted 1/15/2010
Effective January 1, 2010, a second HIV test must be conducted for a pregnant woman during the third trimester, and upon her admission for delivery, if no record of the third trimester HIV test is available. Another change to the law also provides for the expedited HIV testing of infants at delivery, if a mother’s results are not available. Texas law currently requires any health care provider allowed to care for a pregnant woman to test her for HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B, unless she objects. These tests must take place during the pregnant woman’s first prenatal visit. Learn more about diagnostic testing and pregnancy. Posted 12/8/2009
Texas HIV Case Management Project
Case Management plays a central role in the Texas HIV Care system. Learn more about the Texas HIV Case Management Project. Updated 12/15/2009
Effective January 1, 2010, Texas healthcare providers must report all primary and secondary syphilis diagnoses by telephone within one working day of diagnosis. In addition, all public health, hospital and commercial laboratories serving Texas will be required to report additional testing information. New rules also allow use of a Texas-specific HIV/AIDS case report form and clarify that point-of-care HIV tests (HIV rapid tests) are reportable. Learn more about changes to reporting requirements. Posted 12/11/2009
Texas HIV/STD Surveillance Report 2008 (PDF : 365 kb)
The Texas HIV/STD Surveillance Report is an annual report generated by the Texas Department of State Health Services, HIV/STD Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch. This report describes cases reported to the Texas Department of State Health Services Surveillance Program through December 31, 2008. Posted 7/29/2009
H1N1 Flu in HIV Infected
The CDC has issued guidance on H1N1 influenza virus in HIV infected individuals. To summarize, patients with HIV are at higher risk for more severe influenza and should be treated as high risk individuals. There is no absolute contraindications for co-administration of oseltamivir or zanamivir, the two drugs recommended to be used for prevention and treatment of H1N1, with currently available antiretroviral medications. The guidance can be found on the CDC website [CDC]. Posted 4/30/2009
Emerging Technologies and Advancements in HIV and AIDS Surveillance and Testing to Enhance Surveillance, Prevention and Treatment of HIV and AIDS Infection (PDF : 175 kb) (A Report to the 81st Texas Legislature)
This DSHS report addresses emerging technologies and advancements in HIV and AIDS disease surveillance and epidemiology, including use of technologies and advancements to improve testing and reporting of AIDS and HIV infection. Recommendations regarding Texas’s use of emerging technologies and advancements to enhance surveillance, treatment and prevention of HIV and AIDS are also included. Posted 3/3/2009
Quailty Assurance Standards for HIV Prevention Contractors
Quality Assurance Standards (QA) were created to assess what it takes to assure quality HIV prevention interventions in the real world. Quality Assurance standards and forms have been created to assist contractors with providing QA activities at their sites and for their staff. These are based on recommendations for quality assurance based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines. Posted 1/14/2009
Quick links to QA standards:
HIV/STD Partner Services Recommendations [CDC]
The Recommendations for Partner Services Programs for HIV Infection, Syphilis, Gonorrhea, and Chlamydial Infection guide the delivery of partner services to those newly diagnosed with sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV. Partner Services is a range of medical, prevention, and psychological and social services that are offered to individuals with HIV or other STDs and their sexual or needle-sharing partners. From the CDC.
CDC HIV Incidence Estimate Information - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released new HIV incidence estimates on August 3, 2008. Below are links to information related to the new estimate. Posted 8/5/2008
HIV Nucleic Acid Amplified Testing
Learn more about HIV Nucleic Acid Amplified Testing (NAAT) in Texas and the acute phase of HIV infection. Posted 6/16/2008
Funding Opportunities
None at this time.
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