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The number of Minnesotans infected with sexually transmitted diseases has been surging since 1996, showed the report released by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) for National STD Awareness Month in April. The reportable sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in Minnesota are – Chlamydia, Gonorrhea and Syphilis.

The report titled as “Minnesota Department of Health's 2007 Sexually Transmitted Disease Statistics” articulated that the number of cases of STDs in 2006 was 16,428. The number surged to a new high of 17,057 in 2007. More than 17,000 people became infected with chlamydia, gonorrhea or syphilis in 2007. That's a 3.8 percent increase over 2006. Adolescents between the ages of 15 and 19 had some of the highest rates of STD and comprised the majority of chlamydia cases.

“The rate of chlamydia, which can cause infertility, has more than doubled in the past 12 years and is the driving force behind these record number of STD cases. Chlamydia accounted for more than three-fourths of the total number of cases,” Peter Carr, director of the STD and HIV Section at MDH, said.

Minnesota Health Officials reported that among the 13,412-chlamydia cases, nearly 70 percent occurred in teens and young adults ages 15 to 24. Rates remain elevated among communities of color. The greatest increases for chlamydia, compared to 2006 data, have been in Greater Minnesota with an 8 percent increase, and in Twin City suburbs with a 4 percent increase.

It is really shocking that one in every four teenage girls in the United States is suffering from a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Certainly, it’s shocking, but it’s a bitter fact. There are more that 3 million teen girls suffering from sexually transmitted diseases in the United States. The number is really stunning!

The recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study shows that at least 25 % of teenage girls in the United States are suffering from STDs. Cervical cancer is the most common disease found in teenage girls; the human papillomavirus, or HPV, a virus that causes cervical cancer is by far one of the most common sexually transmitted infections in teen girls aged 14 to 19 in the United States. Cervical cancer affected 18 % of girls who were studied. Other STDs included chlamydia affecting 4 %; trichomoniasis affecting 2.5 %; and herpes simplex virus affecting 2 %.

According to CDC, the highest prevalence of STDs was found among black girls. Nearly half of the black girls in the United States are having sexually transmitted diseases. And, one in every five of white and Mexican-American girls is affected by STDs. The study, based on a sample size of 838 US girls who participated in a study, calls for both treatment and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases.