The Truth About STD Rates in Houston

THE STD AND HIV RATE IN HOUSTON IS AS HIGH AS RENT RIGHT NOW!

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV and AIDS, remain a major health concern in Houston. Harris County consistently reports rates higher than the Texas and national averages. This article breaks down the facts in simple, clear language. We are busting myths and dropping strong stats.

How Bad Is the STD Situation in Houston?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local health reports, Houston ranks among the top U.S. cities for STD rates. Harris County, which includes Houston, has consistently reported:

• Chlamydia: Over 40,000 cases reported in 2022.
• Gonorrhea: Over 14,000 cases in 2022.
• Syphilis: Around 3,000 cases reported in 2022, with sharp increases in congenital syphilis (passed from mother to baby).
• HIV: Nearly 739 new diagnoses in 2022, higher than most Texas counties.

For comparison, the rate of chlamydia in Houston is about 1.5 times higher than the Texas state average. The rate of gonorrhea is almost double the national average.

📊 Up-to-Date HIV & AIDS Numbers in Houston

According to the Houston Eligible Metropolitan Area data for 2022:

• 1,413 new HIV diagnoses were reported in the Houston area in 2022. This is a 5% increase from 2021. Of these diagnoses, 90% were residents of Houston/Harris County.
• 1,277 of these diagnoses were confirmed in Harris County specifically—that is a rate of 26.4 new HIV cases per 100,000 people
• There were 287 new AIDS diagnoses (stage-3 HIV) in 2022 in Harris County, a rate of 5.9 per 100,000
• By the end of 2022, approximately 33,397 people were living with HIV (PLWH) in the Houston EMA—about 30,425 of them in Harris County, with a prevalence rate of 630 per 100,000 residents
• In comparison, the national rate of new HIV diagnoses is around 13 per 100,000, so Houston/Harris County has more than double that rate
• Source: Houston Health Department’s 2024 Epidemiologic Supplement for HIV Prevention and Care Services Planning Report

Note: the current population in Houston is 2.39 million as of 2024.

Why Are Rates Rising?

Several reasons contribute to Houston’s high STD rates:

• Lack of regular testing – Many people don’t know they are infected. During COVID, many people missed checkups, so infections went undetected.
• Stigma and fear – Some avoid clinics because they are embarrassed.
• Limited access to healthcare – Not everyone has affordable care.
• Rapid population growth – More people, more risk of spread.

🔍 What Are Common Myths About HIV & STDs?

Myth #1: “HIV is always obvious or shows early symptoms.”
👉 In reality, many people living with HIV don’t feel or look sick for years.

Myth #2: “Only certain races or groups get HIV.”
👉 Everyone is at risk. In Houston, Hispanic/Latinx and Black communities are most affected, but HIV impacts all groups

Myth #3: “Getting tested is embarrassing or unnecessary.”
👉 Testing is confidential, often free, and the best way to find infection early—even before you have symptoms.

Myth #4: “If I take PrEP, I don’t need to worry.”
👉 PrEP helps prevent HIV but doesn’t protect against other STDs like syphilis or chlamydia. Regular testing is still important.

✅ Prevention & Public Health Efforts

• Free or low-cost testing available through Houston Health Department, Harris County Public Health, and Legacy Community Health.
• Mobile clinics and outreach in high-risk ZIP codes (e.g. Sunnyside, Fifth Ward, South Park) help reach underserved communities
• Services offered include PrEP, DoxyPEP, Rapid Start ART, and prenatal HIV care (risk of mother-to-child transmission reduced to under 1%
• Rates of care retention and viral suppression: Under 77% of HIV-positive people receive some care, 55% stay in care, and 62% achieve viral suppression (undetectable and can’t pass to another person)

Final Takeaway

Houston has twice the U.S. average rate of new HIV diagnoses. Please get tested regularly, use protection, and know your options for treatment and prevention so you can stay safe. Stop playing with your lives out here.

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