In the United States, 1 in 5 people have a sexually transmitted infection (STI). There are a variety of risk factors that make one more or less likely to contract one. Where one lives, what they do, who they are and who they love all plays a role. Some parts of the United States carry a higher risk than others, with states like Georgia and Louisiana at the highest risk and Idaho and Utah at the lowest risk. Different regions of the U.S. are more susceptible to different diseases, but overall, one is more at risk if they live in the south or near a larger metro.
Unprotected sex is a common way that many people contract STIs, as well as having more than one partner. In fact, women with 5 or more sexual partners are 8x more likely to have an STI. Dating apps, inadequate protection and even substance abuse can also heighten the risk of a sexually transmitted infection. Risk can also differ between ethnicity, income, age and background.
Different sexual orientations are more at risk for different diseases depending on the sex of their partner and their relationship dynamic. The type of sex had also matters, as anal intercourse is 10x more likely to result in HIV than vaginal intercourse. Despite these risks, abstinence, testing, and proper protection are all options that help to reduce the risk of infection. When in doubt, the best practice is to test, ensuring the safety of ourselves and those around us.
Learn more about the chances of getting an STD in the infographic below, courtesy of eNationalTesting:
