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 STD testing is one of them. This page answers common questions about prenatal STD testing for people in Atlanta, using the CDC, the Georgia Department of Public Health and Georgia law. A clinician can tell you which tests fit your situation.

The basics

Why are people tested for STDs during pregnancy?

Some infections can pass to a baby during pregnancy or birth. Testing lets a clinician find an infection early and prescribe treatment when treatment is available. The CDC STI Treatment Guidelines (2021) build their prenatal screening advice around this goal.

Is prenatal STD testing routine?

Yes. The CDC recommends that every pregnant person be screened for syphilis, HIV and hepatitis B at the first prenatal visit. Screening for chlamydia, gonorrhea and some other infections depends on age and risk factors.

Does being offered a test mean something is wrong?

No. Prenatal panels are offered to everyone, in every kind of relationship. Being offered a test is a standard part of care and says nothing about you personally.

Is STD testing during pregnancy safe for the baby?

The tests are done with a blood draw, a urine sample or a swab. These are the same methods used outside of pregnancy. Ask your prenatal provider if you have questions about a specific test.

Which tests and when

What does the CDC recommend at the first prenatal visit?

The CDC recommends testing for HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B for all pregnant people at the first visit. It also recommends hepatitis C screening during each pregnancy. Chlamydia and gonorrhea screening is recommended for those under 25 and for older people at increased risk, a position the USPSTF shares.

Do I need to be tested more than once?

Sometimes. The CDC says people at higher risk, or who live where syphilis is common, should be retested for syphilis at about 28 weeks and again at delivery. The CDC also advises repeat HIV testing in the third trimester for people at increased risk.

What does syphilis in pregnancy look like?

Syphilis often causes no symptoms that a person notices, or symptoms that come and go. That is why the CDC recommends a blood test rather than waiting for signs. Only a test and a clinician can say whether syphilis is present.

What if I had a negative test earlier in my pregnancy?

An earlier negative result reflects the time it was taken. If a new partner or other change has happened since, tell your provider. They can decide whether to repeat it.

How long after an exposure can a test detect HIV?

The CDC says an antigen and antibody test using blood from a vein can usually detect HIV 18 to 45 days after an exposure. Other tests have different windows. A clinician can help you choose the right test and timing.

Georgia's prenatal testing rules

Does Georgia require syphilis testing in pregnancy?

Yes. Under the Georgia HIV/Syphilis Pregnancy Screening Act of 2015 (O.C.G.A. § 31-17-4.2), the provider who takes responsibility for prenatal care must test for HIV and syphilis, unless the patient refuses. You can ask your provider how this works at your visit.

Is testing offered again later in pregnancy?

Yes. The same law says providers must offer HIV and syphilis testing at the first exam of the third trimester. At delivery, the attending provider must order a test if there is no written evidence of one, with an exception for a documented third-trimester test when no newer risk has been disclosed.

Do providers report syphilis to the state?

Yes. The Georgia Department of Public Health says all physicians, laboratories and other providers must report notifiable conditions. Syphilis is reported immediately, and chlamydia, gonorrhea and HIV are reported within 7 days. Reporting is how public health programs track trends.

Congenital syphilis

What is congenital syphilis?

Congenital syphilis happens when syphilis passes from a pregnant person to the baby. The CDC says it can lead to stillbirth, early infant death and lasting health problems. It is preventable when syphilis is found and treated during pregnancy.

How common is congenital syphilis in Georgia?

The CDC's 2023 STI Surveillance state tables list 127 cases of congenital syphilis in Georgia, or 100.7 per 100,000 live births. Georgia DPH's 2024 data snapshot reports 126 cases. For the wider picture of local rates, see the latest STD data for Atlanta.

How common is syphilis in Fulton County?

Georgia DPH's OASIS data tool shows 425 primary and secondary syphilis cases in Fulton County in 2023, a rate of 39.2 per 100,000 people. The CDC puts Georgia's statewide 2023 rate at 20.0. These numbers are a reason prenatal testing matters here.

How is syphilis treated during pregnancy?

Syphilis is curable. The CDC says penicillin is the recommended treatment in pregnancy, and a clinician decides the plan that fits each person. Follow-up blood tests are part of care.

Results, treatment and partners

Are HIV, herpes and HPV curable if found in pregnancy?

No, but all three are treatable or manageable. For HIV, the CDC says care during pregnancy greatly lowers the chance of passing HIV to a baby. A clinician can explain options for herpes and HPV as well.

Can chlamydia, gonorrhea or trichomoniasis be treated while pregnant?

Yes. These infections are curable with treatment from a clinician, and the CDC guidelines include options for pregnancy. Your provider will choose the medicine that suits you.

What about my partners?

Partners may need testing or treatment too, so that an infection does not pass back and forth. Georgia DPH says expedited partner therapy services can be located through local public health departments. Your clinician can explain what applies to you.

Where to test in Atlanta

Where can I get free or low-cost STD testing in Atlanta?

AID Atlanta Wellness Center, at 1438 W Peachtree Street NW, lists free HIV tests and free chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis screenings. Testing runs Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and walk-ins are welcome. Fulton County Board of Health clinics charge on a sliding scale, and our list of Atlanta testing locations has more. Our guide to where to get tested and what it costs adds detail.

Can I call a clinic to ask about testing while pregnant?

Yes, and it is a good idea. The 10 Park Place Health Center lists STI screening and treatment and can be reached at (770) 520-7500. The clinic's pages do not say whether they offer prenatal care, so ask your prenatal provider about pregnancy-specific tests such as hepatitis B and C.

Can a teenager get tested without a parent?

Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 31-17-7) lets a minor who has or believes they have syphilis, gonorrhea or chancroid consent to care without a parent, although providers may inform a parent. Fulton's Teen Health Clinic serves ages 12 to 21 at (770) 520-7323. The Fulton County Board of Health says fees are income-based and no teen is turned away for inability to pay.

Is there another way to find a testing site?

Yes. The CDC runs a locator at gettested.cdc.gov where you can find testing sites by ZIP code. The Georgia AIDS and STI InfoLine, 1-800-551-2728, is also a Georgia DPH resource.

STD Testing During Pregnancy in Georgia