New York (ECN) - Sexually transmitted diseases rose in the United States in 2007 according to reports, and the numbers were surprising to many health officials.
And for two STDs, the numbers rose at what many health officials have called, "alarming levels".
A 2007 report found that more than a million chlamydia cases in the U.S. were reported, a million more than what was reported in 2006. Dr. John Douglas, who leads CDC's division that deals with sexually transmitted diseases, said the report clearly shows more diagnoses of the diseases than infection increases.
Also, more than 300,000 gonorrhea cases were reported in 2007, which hasn't changed from 2006.
Chlamydia and gonorrhea are easily diagnosed and treated, but frequently have no symptoms and remain undetected.
Chlamydia infects the urethra in men and the urethra and cervix in women. It can also spread to reproductive organs. Though it doesn't cause problems if treated immediately, leaving it untreated can lead to several problems in women from pelvic inflammatory disease, making it difficult to get pregnant. Pregnant women can pass the disease to their children at birth.
Gonorrhea, a STD that also affects the urethra and cervix in women and the urethra in men, can also infect the rectum, anus and throat. Left untreated in women can cause painful scar tissue and inflammation, and increase the risk of bladder cancer in men.
