The Most Common STDs: Full List (Ranked)
The most common STDs in the United States are HPV, herpes (HSV), chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis and syphilis, with HIV and hepatitis B completing the major list. Chlamydia is the most reported infection nationally — about 1.6 million US cases in 2023 — while HPV and HSV infect more people overall because reporting isn't required.
Ranked: the most common STDs & STIs
Ranking depends on whether you count reported cases (only some STIs are reportable) or total infections. Combining CDC surveillance data with prevalence estimates:
| # | Infection | Type | US scale | Curable? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | HPV | Virus | ~85% lifetime infection risk; ~43M active cases | No vaccine-preventable; usually clears alone |
| 2 | Genital herpes (HSV) | Virus | Majority of adults carry HSV-1; ~12% HSV-2 (14–49) | Treatable, not curable |
| 3 | Chlamydia | Bacterium | 1.61M reported cases 2023 (most notifiable disease) | Yes |
| 4 | Trichomoniasis | Parasite | ~2.6M infections est. | Yes |
| 5 | Gonorrhea | Bacterium | 601K reported 2023 | Yes (resistance growing) |
| 6 | Syphilis | Bacterium | 209K all stages 2023 — highest since 1950 | Yes |
| 7 | HIV | Virus | ~1.2M living with HIV; ~32K new/yr | Treatable (U=U) |
| 8 | Hepatitis B | Virus | Vaccine-preventable; ~862K–2.2M chronic est. | Vaccine prevents |
| 9 | Pubic lice ("crabs") | Parasite | ~3M+ cases/yr commonly cited | Yes (OTC treatment) |
| 10 | Mycoplasma genitalium | Bacterium | Emerging; ~1–2% adults est. | Yes (resistance watch) |
So how many STDs are there?
Counting depends on definitions. The WHO lists 30+ pathogens transmissible through sex. Clinically meaningful screening targets number around a dozen; routine panels cover 5–10. Beyond the top ten above you'll encounter bacterial vaginosis (sex-associated but not strictly an STI), molluscum contagiosum, scabies, hepatitis C, lymphogranuloma venereum, donovanosis and chancroid.
We cover the full cast in dedicated guides — including crabs, trichomoniasis and the slang classics like the clap.
Most common STI vs most common reported STD
Two different crowns:
- Most common overall: HPV — roughly 85% of sexually active people will catch it eventually.
- Most reported nationally: chlamydia — America's #1 notifiable condition year after year.
- Fastest rising: syphilis, which reached its highest rate since 1950 and drove a congenital syphilis emergency.
Numbers shift yearly — track them yourself in our STD statistics roundup.
Frequently asked questions
Sources & further reading
- 📚 CDC — Sexually Transmitted Infections Surveillance Report 2023 — www.cdc.gov/std/statistics
- 📚 WHO — STI fact sheet (>30 pathogens) — www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/sexually-transmitted-infections-(stis)
- 📚 CDC — HIV Basic Statistics — www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/statistics.html