TL;DR Version: Washington state is #37 for STD rates by state. The #1 sexually transmitted disease in WA is spread by close intimate contact with an infected person, an infected mother to newborn baby, and sharing unsanitized intimate toys with others who are infected.

I've never had one, but I'm sure that finding out you've got an STD would be a horrifying experience. A recent survey of the United States found that Washington state is ranked #37 for having the most STDs. While that is comforting news to know that our state doesn't come in the top of the ranks, we should still always keep in mind that unprotected intimate activities can possibly get you "hooked up" with a STD, pun intended.

WASHINGTON'S #1 STD

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The #1 STD in Washington is Chlamydia. Chlamydia trachomatis (more like Chlamydia trauma-tosis, amirite?), is a sexually transmitted disease that can be avoided by wearing condoms (safety first, y'all), and taking prescribed medication to treat your symptoms. Those meds will definitely help tamper down the bacterial infection in your nether regions.

To put it in simple terms, Chlamydia gives you some real pain in any of your holes...

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The Chlamydia Coalition (yes, that's a thing) advises us to either stop having s-e-x altogether or make your partner swear up and down that the two of you will ONLY practice monogamy if you want to keep your chances of catching Chlamydia to ZERO. Otherwise, use LATEX condoms and non-water based spermicides.

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU'VE GOT CHLAMYDIA?

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Some people are infected with Chlamydia and don't even know it. Symptoms may not even affect you physically so it's important to get checked before you hook up with someone. If, however, your body is experiencing any of these symptoms, you definitely should get looked at by a doctor to check for STD's:

It feels like a "fire" down below
Itching where you shouldn't be
Painful urination
Private parts appear to be swollen, red, and sore
Strange discharge
Weird stomach pain

SCARY FUN FACT: "It is possible to pass chlamydia back and forth, so if you get treated and your partner does not, you may become infected again." - The Chlamydia Coalition

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For a list of places you can get checked for STDs in Washington state, click here or here.

Source: WiseVoter.com

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