STI Program Overview
Howard County Health Department provides STI education, screening, and treatment services Howard County women, men and teens and LGBTQIA+ communities. At our clinics there is no residency requirement, no one is turned away because of ability to pay, services are confidential, and there is no need for parental consent, regardless of age.
We have both onsite and telehealth services available and we always accept new patients. Call us for more information: 410-313-7500.
Clinic Services
Screenings for: Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Hepatitis, and HIV/AIDS
Treatments for: Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Genital Warts (Condyloma), Trichomoniasis
Exams for symptomatic patients
Vaccines for prevention of STIs: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Gardasil (ages 19-26)
Partner referrals for testing and treatment
Instructions for getting to the Health Department using public transportation.
Free At-Home STI Self-Collection Test Kit and At-Home HIV Testing
The Violet Project: Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trich test kits for Maryland residents up to age 26.
Congenital Syphilis
What is congenital syphilis (CS)?
Congenital syphilis (CS) is a disease that happens when a mother with syphilis passes the infection on to her baby during pregnancy.
How can CS affect my baby?
CS can have major health impacts on your baby.
CS can cause:
- Miscarriage (losing the baby during pregnancy)
- Stillbirth (a baby born dead)
- Prematurity (a baby born early)
- Low birth weight
- Death shortly after birth
I’m pregnant Do I need to get tested for syphilis?
Yes. All pregnant people should be tested for syphilis at the first prenatal visit (the first time you see your doctor for health care during pregnancy). You can have syphilis and not know it. Many people with syphilis do not have any symptoms.
Is there treatment for syphilis?
Yes. Syphilis can be treated and cured with antibiotics. If you test positive during pregnancy, get treatment right away. If you are diagnosed with and treated for syphilis, your doctor should do follow-up testing for at least one year to make sure that your treatment is working.
Other resources
CDC - Congenital Syphilis Facts page
For more information, or to get tested, call us at 410-313-1412.