 Save the Date! 2016 Texas HIV/STD Conference
Please mark your calendars! DSHS will host the 2016 Texas HIV/STD Conference on October 4-6, 2016 at the Renaissance Hotel in Austin, Texas. Guest room reservations will be available in November 2015 and registration will open in spring 2016. A tentative schedule is posted at the conference website. Additional information will be announced as it becomes available. Updated 8/11/2015
DSHS Releases 2014 Texas HIV and STD Surveillance Reports
The Texas HIV and STD Surveillance Reports are annual reports generated by the Texas Department of State Health Services, TB/HIV/STD Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch. The 2014 reports describe cases reported to the Texas Department of State Health Services Surveillance Program from January 1 to December 31, 2014, as well as historical data. View the HIV report (PDF : 3,136 kb) and the STD report (PDF : 1,393 kb). Updated 8/3/2015
CDC Releases 2015 STD Treatment Guidelines
 The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published the 2015 Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines [CDC] last month. These guidelines update the 2010 guidelines and include discussions on:
1) alternative treatment regimens for Neisseria gonorrhoeae;
2) the use of nucleic acid amplification tests for the diagnosis of trichomoniasis;
3) alternative treatment options for genital warts;
4) the role of Mycoplasma genitalium in urethritis/cervicitis and treatment-related implications;
5) updated HPV vaccine recommendations and counseling messages;
6) the management of persons who are transgender;
7) annual testing for hepatitis C in persons with HIV infection;
8) updated recommendations for diagnostic evaluation of urethritis; and
9) retesting to detect repeat infection.
Physicians and other health-care providers can use these guidelines to assist in the prevention and treatment of STDs. In addition to the published guidelines, providers may access the guidelines in the formats listed below.
- Wall Chart [CDC] – This poster-sized chart provides an overview of CDC's 2015 STD Treatment Guidelines. The wall chart is ideal for use in doctor offices, nurse’s stations, and other clinical settings. Limited quantities are now available to order through CDC-INFO on Demand Publications [CDC].
- Pocket Guide [CDC] – A booklet that includes a summary of CDC’s 2015 STD Treatment Guidelines. The pocket guide is small, and printed at a size that can fit in a lab coat, pocket, or desk drawer. Limited quantities are now available to order through CDC-INFO on Demand Publications [CDC].
- Apple STD Tx Guide 2015 App [CDC] – This easy-to-use mobile reference features a streamlined interface so that providers can quickly and easily access STD treatment and diagnostic information. The free app is currently available for Apple devices. An Android app is being developed and will be available later this summer.
- Evidence Tables [CDC] – These background documents provide a basis for the STD screening, diagnostic, and treatment recommendations included in the 2015 STD Treatment Guidelines.
All of these resources can be found online at www.cdc.gov/std/tg2015 [CDC].
Additionally, CDC’s Division of STD Prevention and the National Network of STD Clinical Prevention Training Centers (NNPTC) hosted a webinar to provide an overview of the updates in the Guidelines and answer questions. The webinar, slides, and continuing education (CE) information are available on the DSTDP Webinars Page [CDC]. Posted 7/2/2015
DSHS Health Education Materials Ordering System Updated
Ordering pamphlets, posters, and other educational materials through DSHS just got easier. The aging forms and literature catalog system has been retired and replaced with a modern ordering system. The HHSC Pinnacle system will host all DSHS publications including those covering TB, HIV, STDs, Hepatitis and other health topics. Any orders placed through the old system will still be shipped, no need to reorder.
To review the catalog and order materials, visit the new forms and literature catalog on the HHSC Pinnacle system. A list of HIV and STD materials are on the HIV/STD Program website along with links to order through the HHSC Pinnacle system. Posted 5/8/2015
See the New Texas-Made #SpeakOutHIV Video
 The “Greater Than AIDS” campaign released a new Texas-made awareness video as part of the “Speak Out Texas” campaign. The video features LGBTQ youth under age 25 from across Texas speaking out about how HIV has affected their lives and what they are doing to make a difference. The video was compiled at the #SpeakOutHIV Texas Digital Storytelling Workshop held last month in Dallas.
“Speak Out Texas” was developed with local health departments to engage the LGBT community in response to the silence and stigma of HIV. The cross-platform campaign, which features gay men from Texas, encourages more open communication about HIV in relationships, with health care providers, and within the community.
“Speak Out Texas” comes at a critical time when new HIV infections are rising among young gay men in the state, mirroring national trends. Although gay men are not the only population affected by HIV, they have been from the beginning and continue today to be among those hit hardest. Then, as now, gay men represented the largest share of people affected by HIV/AIDS. In Texas, gay men represent nearly three quarters of new HIV diagnoses occurring each year in the state. Posted 3/26/2015
DSHS Releases Recommendation for PrEP
Many of you may have heard of Pre-exposure Prophylaxis, or PrEP, by now. PrEP is a very promising prevention option for people who are at high risk of getting HIV. It’s meant to be used consistently, as a pill taken every day, and to be used with other prevention options such as condoms.
Earlier this year, CDC and the U.S. Public Health Service released new clinical guidelines encouraging health care providers to consider prescribing pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for patients at substantial risk for HIV. CDC also released a letter detailing key actions that an organization could take to help achieve the full promise of PrEP as well as grantee guidance on PrEP related services that can be supported with HIV Prevention funding.
DSHS HIV/STD Prevention and Care Branch has released a recommendation to contractors informing them DSHS also recommends that PrEP be considered for people who are HIV-negative and at high risk for HIV and asking that they advocate for clients who need PrEP as well as help break down barriers and create pathways to PrEP.
For questions about the DSHS PrEP position statement, contact Shelley Lucas, Manager, HIV/STD Prevention and Care Branch. Posted 12/1/2014
DSHS Releases 2013 Epi Profile
 The DSHS TB/HIV/STD/Viral Hepatitis Unit has released the 2013 Texas STD and HIV Integrated Epidemiologic Profile (Epi Profile) (PDF : 2,141 kb), a summary of information on known STD and HIV/AIDS cases in Texas. The Epi Profile was created to assist planners, public health professionals, policy makers and other stakeholders at the local and state level. It is a snapshot of STD and HIV infection as of the end of 2013. You can read the Epi Profile and other reports from the TB/HIV/STD/Viral Hepatitis Unit on the Reports page. Posted 12/1/2014
DSHS Releases Texas HIV Plan for 2014-15
 DSHS has released the 2014-15 Texas HIV Plan (PDF : 998 kb) which presents a framework and strategies to reduce the number of new HIV infections and provide treatment and care for those living with HIV. This new plan is intended to:
- Prioritize actions and coordinate the use of resources across individuals and organizations in communities and groups affected by HIV
- Identify common goals
- Harmonize strategies and evaluation
- Enrich local action rather than direct it
You can view the Texas HIV Plan and read about other HIV planning activities on the HIV and STD Planning page. Posted 5/1/2014
HIV/AIDS Information for Persons Applying for a Marriage License
During the 83rd regular session, the Texas Legislature passed House Bill 984. This bill amends Texas Family Code Section 2.010 to allow county clerks to provide marriage license applicants with written notice of where to find required HIV/AIDS information on the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) website rather than providing paper copies of this information. This bill took effect September 1, 2013. The required HIV/AIDS information for marriage license applicants can be found on the DSHS website in English and Spanish. Applicants without internet access can call the DSHS HIV/STD Program at 512-533-3000 to request a free print copy of this information. Posted 9/4/2013
ARIES Case Management Service Categories – Intake and Recertification
The DSHS HIV/STD Care Services team has added 3 new case management service categories to ARIES for contractors to begin using immediately. These secondary service categories can be found under the following Primary Services: “Case Management (non-medical)” and “Medical Case Management.” The 3 new services are: 1) Intake – No CM; 2) Intake – CM; 3) Recertification. For more information about these service categories and how to utilize them, please review the below documents. If you have any questions, please contact your local Administrative Agency.
Posted 8/29/2013
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