COLUMBIA, S.C. — Sexually transmitted diseases are on the rise throughout the country and, according to a new study, STDs are spreading faster here in South Carolina then in most other states.
The study by Health Testing Centers analyzed data from the Center for Disease and Prevention's 2017 STD Surveillance Report to see which states are most affected by these rising disease rates.
Read the full report here: STDs in America
Data shows that South Carolina ranks third highest in the country when it comes to the increasing rates of several sexually transmitted diseases or infections.
The Palmetto State has one of the highest cases of chlamydia in the nation with 649.8 cases per 100,000 residents. That's compared to the national average of 528.8 cases.
South Carolina also ranks fourth for states with the most cases of gonorrhea (254.4 per 100,000 residents). That national average is 171.9 cases.
South Carolina is a part of a larger alarming trend that is happening across the U.S. According to the CDC, doctors diagnosed more than 2 million people with syphilis, gonorrhea, or chlamydia in 2016.
When it comes to preventing these numbers from continuing to increase, doctors recommend talking to your partner about sexual health. If that conversation is uncomfortable, you can always talk to your doctor.
Experts also recommend getting tested both early and often because diagnosing a STD or STI early can make a big difference.