What is the Most Common STD in the United States?

STD or Sexually Transmitted Disease is a health condition that occurs in both genders, which is acquired through sexual activities and/or exchange of body fluids from infected individuals. There are already several STDs known to man and most of these have already caused countless of lives all over the world. What is even more unfortunate is that the spread of these diseases have become so rampant due to unprotected and uneducated sexual acts. Nowadays, more than a million of people in the United States have already been reported to have acquired at least one of these diseases. So what is the most common STD in United States?

If we were to decide what the most common STDs in the USA are, then we can round of our answer to the top 3 diseases, which are chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis. According to the US statistics of diseases in 2009, Chlamydia is considered as the most common in the country. It has already affected at least 1.2 million people across the nation. This is also considered the most widespread STD in the country. This disease started its mark in the US during the year 1997, where approximately 537,904 cases were reported corresponding to a rate of 205.5 in every 100,000 population. In the year 2009, Chlamydia is said to have a higher incidence among black Americans compared to whites. In addition to this, Hispanics, American Indians or Alaskan natives were also ranked higher compared to the whites. The cause of this increase can also be attributed to the lack of symptoms when infected. Many individuals with Chlamydia are even unaware that they already have the disease, which can promote the spread of the disease. Because of this, many screening tests, such as urine testing in men, are already being developed in order to aid in the prevention of the spread.

Gonorrhea is another common STD in the US with a 2009 statistics of 301,174 cases. This was recognized as the most common STD in the 70’s with a report of more than a million cases. Fortunately, significant decrease in number occurred as it stayed less than 365,000 cases in the year 1997. As of 2009, gonorrhea has already made its lowest mark with a statistics of 301,174 cases. Nevertheless, this rate still qualifies as the second most prominent STD in the US. Just like Chlamydia, gonorrhea is also more prominent among blacks, with a rate that is 20.5 times greater than whites.

The third most common STD in the US is none other than Syphilis. This kind of disease has primary and secondary types. Syphilis is also more common among men compared to women. In the year 2009, 44,828 cases of this STD have been reported in the US. Syphilis is also common in men who have sex with the same gender. The rate of this disease has also increased among non Hispanic blacks, Asian/Pacific Islanders, American Indians and some Alaskan Natives. The rate however decreased to 4.5% in non-Hispanic whites and 2.2% in Hispanic. Nevertheless, syphilis is still considered a localized infection; with almost 70% of all counties in the US have no reported cases.

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