The number of cases of three leading sexually transmitted diseases in the United States is on the rise, according to a new report tabled by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
Chlamydia cases have risen by more than 5.6 percent to 1.03 million in 2006. This is the highest number of registered cases in the past two decades since the CDC began to record the numbers of sexually transmitted diseases. The report added that over 358,366 cases of gonorrhea were reported in 2006, a rise by 5.5 percent from 2005 with the rate being 120.9 cases per 100,000 Americans.
More worryingly for the health officials, the rate of syphilis rose by 13.8 percent with 9,756 cases registered in 2006. In over 64 percent of the syphilis cases, the victims were gay and bisexual men.
CDC revealed that the number of syphilis cases has been rising steadily over the last few years, with the number seeing a 57 percent rise since 2001. Chlamydia cases were especially high in young women in the age group of 15 to 19.
Terming the rise of sexually transmitted diseases as a "hidden epidemic", Dr Stuart Berman, who helps tracks STDs for the CDC, said that there is a need to spread awareness of the diseases among the general public.
"Most people are not aware of how many STDs are out there, the risks that they run and the need for getting regular testing for some of these and treatment and having their partners treated. We'd like to see these rates going down", Dr Berman said.
The dangers of STDs like chlamydia and gonorrhea are especially pronounced in women. Such conditions can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, which in turn causes infertility and atopic pregnancy. On the other hand syphilis can lead to neurological damage in babies.
The CDC said in its report titled, "Trends in Reportable Sexually Transmitted Diseases in the United States, 2006," said the rise in cases of gonorrhea was especially bad because the number had dropped between 1975 and 1997.
CDC said that the increase in the number of cases of syphilis and gonorrhea can be attributed to men who have sex with men. The CDC added in its report that using condoms was the best way to prevent all types of sexual transmitted diseases.
For the full report, please visit http://www.cdc.gov/std/stats/toc2006.htm
