These are the states where you’re most likely to contract the virus

Some places have a higher risk of contracting STDs – where is your hometown?

New data from Universal Pharmacies reveals hotspots for STDs across the country, according to Universal Pharmacies’ Sexual Health Index.

Mississippi, for example, is ranked as the “hardest hit” state by sexually transmitted infections and has one of the highest rates of chlamydia in the country, with 700 cases per 100,000 people.

The southern state’s HPV vaccination rate is 9.64 out of 10. The state also has the lowest HPV vaccination rate at 38.5%, which is more than 20% lower than the national average.

Trailing behind is Northern Alaska, with a score of 8.47. While the low number of STI cases is deceptive, the small size of the population makes its incidence among the worst-affected countries.

In Alaska, the gonorrhea infection rate is 251.1 cases per 100,000 people and the chlamydia infection rate is 700.9 cases per 100,000 people.

Ranking third is North Carolina with a score of 8.37 and a chlamydia infection rate of nearly 608 per 100,000 people, followed by Alabama at fourth, Arkansas at fifth, Georgia, Louisiana, and South Carolina. , Nevada and Florida rounded out the top ten. .

HIV, an incurable virus that can lead to AIDS if left untreated, is most prevalent in Georgia, with 23.1 HIV infections per 100,000 residents, more than twice the national average. Minnesota, on the other hand, has the lowest HIV cases, with only 4.5 cases per 100,000 people.

However, Arkansas has seen the largest increase in HIV infections, with cases in the state jumping 66.7% since 2018.

For reference, HIV cases across the United States fell 13.5% between 2018 and 2020, according to Universal Drugstore.

The prescription drug company also broke down infection rates by age group, showing those aged 20 to 24 had the highest number of chlamydia cases, with 542,040 reported infections.

The same age group also had the highest number of gonorrhea infections, with 142,526 cases reported.

Dr. Jamie Winn, medical director at Universal Drugstore, believes comprehensive sex education is important to educate young people about STI risks and how to prevent them, given “the high rates of STIs across the country.” Key to spreading infection.

“While it is true that abstinence is the only 100% effective way to prevent teen pregnancy and STIs, teenagers are notoriously experimental, so it would be careless to assume that this form of sex education will have a positive impact on its own,” Wen said. En said in a report. statement.

“Access to a comprehensive sex education curriculum can support personal development and mental health by providing students with the safety information they need when they choose to explore.”