How serious of a problem are sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the United States?
For many reasons it is difficult to determine the exact prevalence (number of currently infected people) or incidence (number of new cases per year) of sexually transmitted infections.
However, the STI incidence rate was estimated at 18.9 million per year for the year 20001- a 6 million increase over a 1996 estimate.2 Below are incidence and prevalence rate estimates for STIs:2,3
| STIs in the US | | Incidence and Prevalence Estimates |
| STI |
Incidence |
Prevalence |
| HPV |
5.5 million |
20 million |
| Trichmoniasis |
5 million |
unknown |
| Chalmydia |
3 million |
2 million |
| Genital Herpes |
1 million |
45 million |
| Gonorrhea |
650,000 |
unknown |
| Hepatitis B |
120,000 |
417,000 |
| Syphilis |
70,000 |
Unknown |
| HIV |
56,300 |
1.1 million |
Reviewed by: Jennifer A. Shuford, MD, MPH
Date: October 2008
References:
1. Weinstock H, Weinstock H, Berman S, Cates W Jr. Sexually transmitted diseases among American youth: Incidence and prevalence estimates, 2000. Perspect Sex Reprod Health. 2004;36(1):6-10.
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Tracking the Hidden Epidemics: Trends In STDs In the United States, 2000. Atlanta GA: Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2000. Available from: http://www.cdc.gov/std/Trends2000/default.htm. Accessed: 2008 Sept 10.
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. HIV/AIDS in the United States Fact Sheet. Atlanta, GA: Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2008 Aug. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/factsheets/us.htm#1. Accessed 2008 Sept 10.
© 1992-2008 Medical Institute for Sexual Health.
All Rights Reserved. Reproduction without permission prohibited.
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