This page is general health information, not medical advice. It cannot tell you whether you have an infection. A clinician can, and the testing options on this site are a good place to start.

Pregnancy comes with a lot of tests, and screening for sexually transmitted infections is one of them. These questions and answers cover what is usually checked, when, and where people in New York City can get tested at low or no cost.

The basics of prenatal STD testing

Why do clinicians test for STIs during pregnancy?

Some infections can be passed to a baby during pregnancy or birth, and many cause no symptoms. Testing lets a clinician find an infection early and treat it. The CDC STI Treatment Guidelines (2021) build prenatal screening around this idea.

Which infections does the CDC recommend screening for in pregnancy?

The CDC recommends screening pregnant people for HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B at the first prenatal visit. It also recommends hepatitis C screening during each pregnancy. Chlamydia and gonorrhea screening depends on age and risk, which the next questions explain.

Is prenatal STD testing the same as a routine blood draw?

Part of it is. Syphilis, HIV and hepatitis tests use blood. Chlamydia and gonorrhea are usually checked with a urine sample or a swab, and a clinician can explain which one applies to you.

Does a test during pregnancy mean something is wrong?

No. Prenatal STD testing is a standard part of care, and a clinician offers it to many pregnant people. A test can only tell you what it finds on that day, and a clinician can explain what the result means.

Syphilis in pregnancy and congenital syphilis

What is congenital syphilis?

Congenital syphilis happens when syphilis passes from a pregnant person to the baby during pregnancy. The CDC says it can cause serious health problems for a baby, but it can be prevented when syphilis is found and treated in time. That is why syphilis in pregnancy gets so much attention.

Can syphilis in pregnancy be treated?

Yes. Syphilis is curable with treatment from a clinician. The CDC guidelines say penicillin is the treatment used in pregnancy, and a clinician decides what is right for each person.

How many syphilis tests does New York require in pregnancy?

The New York State Department of Health says providers must screen pregnant people at least three times: at the first prenatal visit, in the third trimester, and at delivery. The third-trimester test is due at 28 weeks, or as soon after as reasonably possible, and no later than 32 weeks. This applies under Public Health Law § 2308 and 10 NYCRR § 69-2.2.

Does New York City have its own syphilis testing rule?

Yes. NYC Health Code § 11.33 requires physicians attending pregnant people in the city to draw blood for syphilis testing at 28 weeks, or as soon as reasonably possible, and no later than 32 weeks. It sits alongside the state requirements.

How common is congenital syphilis in New York City?

The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene reported 37 cases of congenital syphilis in 2024, or 43.18 per 100,000 live births. The same report counted 1,467 cases of primary and secondary syphilis. For more local numbers, see our page on STD rates in New York City.

Why test for syphilis again late in pregnancy?

A person can be exposed to syphilis after an earlier negative test. A repeat test in the third trimester and at delivery gives the care team another chance to find it while treatment can still protect the baby. The state requirement exists for this reason.

HIV, hepatitis and other infections

Why is HIV testing part of prenatal care?

The CDC recommends HIV screening for all pregnant people. HIV is not curable, but it is treatable, and the CDC says treatment during pregnancy greatly lowers the chance of passing HIV to a baby. A clinician can talk through the options at any stage.

What about hepatitis B and hepatitis C?

The CDC recommends hepatitis B screening at the first prenatal visit and hepatitis C screening during every pregnancy. Knowing the results helps the care team plan for the baby after birth. A clinician can explain what each result means for your care.

Is chlamydia and gonorrhea testing routine in pregnancy?

The CDC and the USPSTF recommend chlamydia and gonorrhea screening for pregnant people under 25, and for older pregnant people at increased risk. Both are curable with treatment from a clinician. A clinician can help decide whether testing applies to you and whether to repeat it later.

Do clinicians test for herpes, HPV or trichomoniasis?

Not as routine screening for everyone. Testing for these is usually based on symptoms, history or risk, and a clinician can order it if it makes sense. Trichomoniasis is curable with treatment, while herpes and HPV are manageable but not curable.

Partners, privacy and young parents

What if my partner needs treatment too?

Partners often need care so an infection does not pass back and forth. New York allows expedited partner therapy under Public Health Law § 2312. NYC Health says the infections where the CDC recommends it are chlamydia, gonorrhea and trichomoniasis.

Are test results reported to the health department?

For some infections, yes. The NYC Health Code requires chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis to be reported to the Health Department within 24 hours. New York State law also requires HIV to be reported to the state health commissioner.

Can a teenager get tested without a parent?

New York Public Health Law § 2305 lets a licensed physician diagnose and treat a person under 21 for an STD without parental consent. NYC Health says its Sexual Health Clinics serve anyone 12 or older without parental consent, regardless of immigration status.

Where to get tested in New York City

Are there free or low-cost options in the city?

Yes. NYC Health runs Sexual Health Clinics with low- or no-cost care. Adults are asked for insurance or a sliding-scale fee, no proof of income is required, and no one is turned away for inability to pay. The Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center says its services are free for people ages 10 to 26.

Which clinics can I walk into?

NYC Health lists clinics in Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx and Queens, and most services are walk-in. Callen-Lorde Chelsea also offers sliding-scale care. See the local testing list for names and addresses, and read our guide to STD testing in New York City for more detail.

Can I call someone before I go?

The NYC Sexual Health Clinic Hotline is 347-396-7959, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. NYC Health also lists a 24/7 PEP hotline at 844-373-7692. The clinic pages do not list a number for each site, and clinics may close early once they reach capacity, so check before you go. Also ask whether a clinic can see you for testing while you are pregnant.

Where else can I find a testing site?

The CDC runs a testing locator at gettested.cdc.gov. Your prenatal care provider can also order the standard tests as part of your visits.

STD Testing During Pregnancy in New York