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This site contains sexually transmitted disease STDs/HIV prevention messages that might not be appropriate for all audiences. Since STD/HIV infection is spread primarily through sexual practices or by sharing needles, prevention messages and programs may address these topics. If you are not seeking such information or may be offended by such materials, please exit this page.

Tarrant County Public Health’s Adult Health Services program provides a comprehensive, integrated approach to the prevention and control of sexually transmitted disease (STD) and HIV throughout Tarrant County. Program components include:

• STD/HIV prevention education targeting individuals engaging in high-risk behaviors
• HIV testing and counseling targeting individuals engaging in high-risk behaviors
• Clinical diagnosis and treatment of STDs and HIV at two service locations
• STD/HIV disease intervention/outreach efforts aimed at identifying individuals who may have been exposed to STDs (partner elicitation) and HIV for the purpose of locating those at risk, facilitating appropriate testing and treatment and breaking the chain of transmission

All program activities are performed in a manner that ensures client confidentiality.

• STD Clinical Services
• HIV Testing, Counseling and Prevention Services
• HIV/AIDS Preventive Medicine Clinical Services
• About STDs

STD Clinical Services

You can be tested, diagnosed and treated for STDs at any of the following locations: (click on location for map)

Making Appointments

To schedule an STD appointment at both clinic locations, call (817) 321-4800. Clients can only make same day appointments for the Fort Worth location; telephone calls are answered beginning at 7:45 am, Monday through Friday. The Arlington clinic only offers services on Wednesday and Friday, and schedules appointments the day before.

At your clinic appointment, please bring:

• Photo identification
• Proof of income
• Cash or check

Affordable

Individual charges may vary. Clinic fees are assigned according to a sliding scale, based on client income.

Testing and Clinical Services

Clients are tested for syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, HIV, HPV (genital warts), yeast infection, trichomoniasis and bacterial vaginosis.

Other available services include:

• Herpes test (when symptomatic)
• Immunizations for Hepatitis B (clients 19 and younger only)
• HPV treatment (genital warts)
• HIV testing and counseling by qualified technicians and experienced counselors

After Your Clinic Visit

If you were diagnosed with an STD:

• Take all medicine as directed.
• Refer your sex partner(s) to the STD/HIV (Adult Health Services) clinic for testing and treatment.
• If symptoms re-occur, contact the clinic immediately.
• To reduce risk of re-infection, use a condom every time you have sex.
• Call for STD test results and return for follow-up examinations as directed. You will be given a code number for getting your test results by telephone. We can only give results to clients. Test results are not given over the phone to friends or family members.

Professional Expertise

All Adult Health Services are provided by professionals specifically trained in STD diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of all possible infections. Adult Health Services personnel conduct field investigations to ensure that any person exposed to an infection is aware of the possibility and has the opportunity to be examined and treated quickly. Counseling and information are provided for anyone diagnosed with an STD. One of the program goals is to ensure that anyone who is treated has knowledge about their infection and is able to take the appropriate precautions to ensure that they are not re-infected or exposed to another STD. Public Health identifies and treats more STDs in Tarrant County than any other medical provider. This doesn't mean that a person has to come to the health department for clinical service. However, in order to get an accurate diagnosis and adequate treatment for an infection Tarrant County Public Health Adult Health Services is the place to initiate the examination process. When other medical problems are identified, beyond the scope of STDs, referrals are made to other agencies for additional follow-up.

Confidentiality

Adult Health Services staff and physicians are bound by law to confidentiality regarding any diagnosis and treatment. Our staff will not discuss your health with anyone but you.

All services/information will not be released without the client's written consent. Anonymous testing is offered for HIV only. Although all testing is confidential, with anonymous testing you will be assigned a fictitious name.

About STDs

STDs can be caused by bacteria, viruses or other organisms. Gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, and several other bacterial infections are usually curable with antibiotics requiring only one visit to the STD clinic. When an STD is caused by a virus, (Herpes, Genital Warts or HIV), the person can be treated; the disease can be managed and controlled, but not cured. Sometimes, STD infections will cause symptoms that alert the person that there is something wrong. In many instances the symptoms are very slight and may not be noticed, or there are no signs or symptoms. Any infected person with or without symptoms is placing their health at risk and risking the possibility of infecting any other person with whom they are intimate. Waiting for signs of an infection can be a costly and sometimes fatal mistake. STD infections, left untreated can spread to other areas of the body causing serious medical conditions such as crippling arthritis, blindness, heart attack and death. When a pregnant woman with an STD infection is untreated, her unborn infant is at risk for serious health problems, including death.

STDs are spread through intimate person-to-person contact, such as oral, vaginal and anal sex. HIV can also be spread through the sharing of needles. Infants can be infected with HIV before birth, during birth and through breast-feeding after birth from an infected mother. STDs are not transmitted through day-to-day contact in social settings such as schools or at the workplace, nor are they transmitted through casual contact including kissing, shaking hands or hugging. Dirty toilet seats, mosquitoes, eating utensils and drinking glasses pose no risks of transmission.

An important role of Adult Health Services is the control and prevention of HIV through comprehensive evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of more common STDs. Preventing reinfection and disease complications are also important goals. When someone develops an STD infection, they are also at a high risk of acquiring HIV. Conversely, when an HIV-infected person is also infected with another STD, they are much more likely to transmit HIV than someone who is only HIV-infected. STD treatment reduces the ability of an HIV-positive individual to transmit HIV. By targeting the identification and treatment of STDs, Adult Health Services works to reduce the transmission of HIV in Tarrant County.

For more information, please feel free to contact us or visit the following links:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Texas Department of State Health Services