North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) Practice Exam 2026 - Free Midwifery Practice Questions and Study Guide

The most prevalent sexually transmitted disease in the United States is indeed Human Papillomavirus (HPV). This virus has several strains, some of which can lead to health issues such as genital warts and various cancers, including cervical cancer. HPV is particularly notable for its high incidence among sexually active individuals; it is so common that most sexually active people will contract it at some point in their lives.

While bacterial STDs like gonorrhea and chlamydia are significant health concerns and have increasing rates of reported cases, HPV surpasses them in terms of overall prevalence. This can be attributed to the asymptomatic nature of many HPV infections, leading many individuals to remain unaware of their infection status, which contributes to its widespread nature. Furthermore, the availability of vaccines against certain high-risk strains of HPV has become an important preventive measure in recent years, aiming to reduce its incidence and the complications associated with it. Understanding the distinction in prevalence among STIs is crucial for both public health strategies and education on sexual health.