STD cases up to a new high

STD cases up to a new high

by Elizabeth Dunbar, Minnesota Public Radio

19th April 2012

ST. Paul, Minnesota-The number of sexually transmitted diseases reported to the Minnesota Department of Health has risen to new highs in 2011, officials announced Thursday.

reportable cases of sexually transmitted diseases, including chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis – rose to 19 547 in 2001, compared with 18 009 in 2010 and 16 912 in 2009

recommend health officials that sexually active people take action to prevent infection and to do. regular testing for sexually transmitted diseases

Most STD cases in Minnesota last year -. nearly 17,000 cases – were chlamydia. Nearly a third of these cases occurred in more than Minnesota. Most cases were among adolescents and young adults 15 to 24

The Ministry of Health has also racial differences in the cases of infection reported. The rates of chlamydia were 10 times higher for blacks than whites. They were four times higher for Native Americans are three times higher for higher for Latinos and Asians twice.

Gonorrhea is the second most common STD and showed an increase of 6 percent. Most cases were concentrated in the Twin Cities metropolitan area.

Health officials said there was a slight increase in syphilis cases were concentrated in the Twin Cities. Infections were more common in men who had sex with other men.

In a press release, said Minnesota Health Commissioner Dr. Edward Ehlinger that STD differences between whites and people of different skin color “alarming.”

&# 8220;We may have affected our efforts in partnership with our communities most increase, “he said.

gonorrhea and chlamydia if untreated, can lead to infertility in women and men and can lead to complications in the newborn, health officials said. Untreated syphilis can cause blindness, mental illness, dementia and death.

More information is available on the website of the Department of Health STD.

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