Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow Many People Have STIs?Most Common STIsStatisticsPreventionFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
How Many People Have STIs?
Most Common STIs
Statistics
Prevention
Frequently Asked Questions
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), also commonly calledsexually transmitted diseases (STDs), are infections passed through vaginal, oral, or anal sex. Many can have an STI unknowingly if they are asymptomatic (without symptoms) or exhibit mild symptoms. Screening is essential for diagnosing, treating, and preventing further spread.
Sexually transmitted infections are quite common in the United States (U.S.), and rates have increased steadily, with millions of new infections occurring yearly.According to a recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention surveillance report on STIs, over 2 million chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis cases were reported in 2020.
This article reviews the latest statistics on the most common STIs and discusses how to reduce your risk.
FatCamera / Getty Images
In 2018, the CDC estimated that one in five people in the U.S., or 20% of the population, had a sexually transmitted infection (STI). These STIs includechlamydia,gonorrhea,syphilis,hepatitis B,herpes simplex virus type 2,humanimmunodeficiencyvirus (HIV),humanpapillomavirus(HPV), andtrichomoniasis.
STI vs STD: What’s the Difference?The terms “sexually transmitted infection” and “sexually transmitted disease” are often interchangeable. An infection occurs when the bacteria or virus is sexually transmitted, and may or may not cause symptoms. When the infection causes symptoms or other complications, it becomes a sexually transmitted disease.
STI vs STD: What’s the Difference?
The terms “sexually transmitted infection” and “sexually transmitted disease” are often interchangeable. An infection occurs when the bacteria or virus is sexually transmitted, and may or may not cause symptoms. When the infection causes symptoms or other complications, it becomes a sexually transmitted disease.
The Difference Between STD and STI
Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis are the most commonly notifiable sexually transmitted infections in the U.S. Though HIV is more common than gonorrhea or syphilis, it is often considered its own category of disease.
Notifiable STIs are STI cases that healthcare facilities must report to the government or health authorities.
Chlamydia
Chlamydia is often asymptomatic; when symptoms are present, it’s usually five to 14 days after infection.Symptoms of chlamydiainclude:
Symptoms of a rectal chlamydia infection include:
Chlamydia is atreatableSTI; your healthcare provider can prescribe medicine and monitor for repeated infection. If left untreated, chlamydia can cause permanent damage to women’s reproductive organs and make it more challenging for them to get pregnant.
Gonorrhea
The second most common notifiable STI in the U.S. isgonorrhea, which can cause infection in the genitals, rectum, and throat. Young people ages 15 to 25 are disproportionately affected. Like chlamydia, it’s transmitted through oral, vaginal, or anal sex and can be passed down during childbirth.
Gonorrhea is often asymptomatic.Symptoms of gonorrhea, when present, include:
Symptoms of gonorrhea in women may be confused with abladderorvaginal infection.
Symptoms of rectal gonorrhea infection include:
Gonorrhea can lead to health complications if left untreated; women can developpelvic inflammatory disease, and men can develop pain and potential infertility.Gonorrhea is treatable; a healthcare provider can prescribe medicine to cure the infection.
Syphilis
Syphilisis the third most common notifiable STI in the U.S., with rates increasing nearly every year since 2001.Syphilis spreads through contact with syphilis sores during vaginal, anal, or oral sex.
Syphilis is treatablewith antibiotics. Left untreated, syphilis can affect the brain, nervous symptoms, eyes, or ears.
Why You Might Not Realize You Have an STI Even After Testing
STI Statistics
The below statistics represent the STI surveillance data collected during COVID-19 in 2020. Health authorities advise interpreting the data cautiously, as the pandemic has affected screening and data collection.
The COVID-19 pandemic affected screening and surveillance for STIs. A strained health system and the closures of clinics made it challenging totest,diagnose, and gather surveillance data on STIs. Despite the pandemic, the CDC’s 2020 surveillance report on STDs reported 2.4 million chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis cases.
The steep rise in congenital syphilis is reflective of the syphilis epidemic. Congenital syphilis most commonly occurs when the mother doesn’t receive timely prenatal care or syphilis testing.
Syphilis Is Making a Comeback. Here’s What to Know About Symptoms and Prevention
There are disparities in rates of reported STIs:Over half (53%) of reported cases of STIs in 2020 were among adolescents and young adults aged 15 to 2432% of all cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and primary and secondary syphilis were among non-Hispanic Black populationsIt is important to note that these disparities are not reflective of sexual behaviors but access to quality sexual health care and other systemic inequities.
There are disparities in rates of reported STIs:
It is important to note that these disparities are not reflective of sexual behaviors but access to quality sexual health care and other systemic inequities.
STI Prevention
All sexually transmitted infections arepreventableand treatable, and some are curable. Testing can help with timely treatment and prevent spreading the infection to others.
The Importance of Prevention
STI rates are increasing and adolescents, young adults, and men who have sex with men are at an increased risk. Additionally, having a sexually transmitted infection places people at ahigher risk for HIV.
Prevention can avoid irreversible health complications, including:
How to Prevent STIs
There are several ways to prevent STIs, including:
Stillbirth and Gestational Diabetes: How to Lower Your Risk
Summary
Rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are rising in the U.S., especially among adolescents and young adults. Individuals with STIs like chlamydia and gonorrhea can be asymptomatic, so taking measures to prevent contracting and spreading STIs is important.
STIs are preventable and treatable but may lead to serious complications if left untreated.
Can You Get HIV From a Tattoo or Body Piercing?
A Word From Verywell
If you have concerns or think you may have symptoms of an STI, talk to your healthcare provider about getting screened. All STIs are treatable, and many are curable. Early treatment can avoid further complications in the future.
About one in five people (or 20% of the population) had a sexually transmitted infection in 2018.
People assigned female at birth disproportionately bear the long-term consequences of STIs.Though they tend to have fewer symptoms of common STIs, like chlamydia and gonorrhea, symptoms may be mistaken for other health conditions, like a yeast infection, and not adequately treated. Additionally, the lining of the vagina is much thinner and conducive for bacteria and viruses to infiltrate and grow.
12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.STDs & related conditions.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.National overview of STDs, 2020.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.STI prevalence, incidence, and cost estimates in the United States.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.STD facts — chlamydia.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.STD facts — gonorrhea.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.STD facts — syphilis.Center for Disease Control and Prevention.Congenital syphilis.Center for Disease Control and Prevention.Syphilis.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Healthy people 2030: sexually transmitted infections.Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.Healthy people 2020: sexually transmitted.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sexually transmitted diseases (stds) prevention.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How STDs impact women differently from men.
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.STDs & related conditions.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.National overview of STDs, 2020.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.STI prevalence, incidence, and cost estimates in the United States.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.STD facts — chlamydia.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.STD facts — gonorrhea.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.STD facts — syphilis.Center for Disease Control and Prevention.Congenital syphilis.Center for Disease Control and Prevention.Syphilis.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Healthy people 2030: sexually transmitted infections.Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.Healthy people 2020: sexually transmitted.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sexually transmitted diseases (stds) prevention.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How STDs impact women differently from men.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.STDs & related conditions.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.National overview of STDs, 2020.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.STI prevalence, incidence, and cost estimates in the United States.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.STD facts — chlamydia.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.STD facts — gonorrhea.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.STD facts — syphilis.Center for Disease Control and Prevention.Congenital syphilis.Center for Disease Control and Prevention.Syphilis.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Healthy people 2030: sexually transmitted infections.Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.Healthy people 2020: sexually transmitted.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sexually transmitted diseases (stds) prevention.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How STDs impact women differently from men.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.STDs & related conditions.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.National overview of STDs, 2020.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.STI prevalence, incidence, and cost estimates in the United States.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.STD facts — chlamydia.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.STD facts — gonorrhea.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.STD facts — syphilis.
Center for Disease Control and Prevention.Congenital syphilis.
Center for Disease Control and Prevention.Syphilis.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Healthy people 2030: sexually transmitted infections.
Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.Healthy people 2020: sexually transmitted.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sexually transmitted diseases (stds) prevention.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How STDs impact women differently from men.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
