In 2025, it is estimated that nearly 20% of all Americans have contracted a sexually transmitted infection (STI) of some kind. Most commonly, these STIs include herpes, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV, chlamydia, and more. What type of disease you are most likely to contract varies based on your geographic region. For instance, people in the Southern US are most likely to get gonorrhea, whereas people in the West and Midwest are most likely to get syphilis and chlamydia respectively. Other factors such as age, race, ethnicity, who your partners are, and how many partners you have all go into your risk profile for contracting an STI.
So how can you protect yourself against them? The most traditional method is by using a condom, either internal or external. This has a high level of risk reduction, but is not foolproof. You can also try pre- and post-exposure vaccinations, which have a range of risk reductions from 26% all the way up to 98%.
However, the best option aside from abstinence is to get yourself regularly tested for STIs before a sexual relationship. This method boasts a 99.8% risk reduction, only 0.2% behind abstinence. Fortunately, finding an STI testing center is easy with eNational Testing. They allow you to easily find a testing center near you, and ensure that you are safely and accurately tested. Ultimately, regardless of your sexual risk, getting yourself tested is the best way to keep yourself safe.
infographic by: www.enationaltesting.com
