Millions of Americans Have Knowingly Had Sex While Infected with STDs, Survey Reveals
A shocking new survey has uncovered that millions of Americans have engaged in sexual activity while knowingly infected with a sexually transmitted disease. The poll, conducted by sexual health swabbing service Testing.com, found that 45 percent of US adults diagnosed with an STD have had sex without disclosing their status to their partner.
Alarming Statistics on Non-Disclosure and Unprotected Encounters
Among those who did not disclose their STD status, nearly six in ten reported that the sexual encounter was unprotected, significantly increasing the risk of transmitting the infection to their partner. Furthermore, seventeen percent admitted they were aware they had passed the STD to their partner. Overall, out of 7,800 people surveyed, one in ten confessed to knowingly giving their partner a disease.
The survey involved 7,895 US residents aged 18 to 65 who had been infected with an STD at least once. Of the 700 individuals who admitted to knowingly transmitting an STD, nearly a third did not disclose their infection before having sex with a casual partner, while almost a quarter kept it secret during a first-time encounter.
Disturbing Trends in Relationship Contexts
Alarmingly, thirteen percent said they did not reveal their STD status to a partner in a monogamous, exclusive relationship, and nine percent concealed it from their spouse. Twenty-three percent admitted to keeping it secret from someone they were dating but not exclusive with. Young men were identified as the group most likely to hide their STD-positive status.
Reasons for Non-Disclosure and Health Implications
The reasons for not disclosing varied: thirty-two percent cited shame or embarrassment, eighteen percent blamed alcohol or being "in the heat of the moment," or believed the transmission risk was low. Fifteen percent feared jeopardizing the relationship, thirteen percent did not want to ruin the moment, and nine percent did not think it necessary to reveal their status. Additionally, forty percent of those who knowingly passed on an STD only admitted their status after their partner tested positive.
Dr. Toni Brayer, an internal medicine doctor at Testing.com, emphasized the dangers: "Hiding an STD from a partner can seriously harm their health. Chlamydia, syphilis, HPV warts, and HIV can cause problems such as infertility, chronic pain, or even death. Not disclosing can put the partner at risk and is a breach of trust that can permanently damage the relationship. Disclosure is important so both partners can decide about testing, treatment, and protection."
Rising STD Rates and Geographic Hotspots
This report emerges as more than 2.2 million people are diagnosed with new STDs annually in the US, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis—a thirteen percent increase from a decade ago. Louisiana and Alaska rank among the top three states for the highest rates of gonorrhea and chlamydia, the two most common STDs. Mississippi has the nation's second-highest rate of chlamydia, while Georgia has the third-highest rate of gonorrhea.
For syphilis, which can cause permanent nerve damage and miscarriages in pregnant women, South Dakota leads with the highest rates, followed by New Mexico and Mississippi.
Decline in Condom Use and Pandemic Impact
The climb in STD rates correlates with a decline in condom use, particularly among younger generations. About fifty-two percent of sexually active high schoolers used a condom at their last sexual encounter in the latest data, down seven percent from a decade earlier.
STD rates surged in the US following the Covid pandemic, reaching 2.5 million infections in 2021 as eased restrictions led to increased dating app usage and socializing. Infections have since declined, dropping nine percent in 2024 compared to the previous year, but officials remain concerned about syphilis, a highly infectious bacterial STD.
Legal and Health Consequences of Non-Disclosure
Doctors and officials urge patients to reveal their STD status before sexual intercourse. In some US states, failing to disclose HIV status before sexual contact can result in up to thirty years in prison, while concealing herpes status can lead to twelve months in jail and significant fines. Syphilis, if untreated, can cause irreversible damage to the brain, eyes, or spinal cord and may be transmitted to a developing fetus, increasing miscarriage or stillbirth risks.
The survey did not specify which STDs participants were infected with, but chlamydia and gonorrhea are the most common in the US. It also did not define sexual contact, though STDs can be transmitted through oral sex, vaginal intercourse, and anal intercourse.
