State health officials are telling people to be diligent about getting regularly tested for STDs after a rise in numbers in the past year.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis all increased in 2018. The reports include

  • Just over 51,000 cases of chlamydia (1% increase)
  • 16,922 cases of gonorrhea (10% increase)
  • 654 cases of syphilis (36% increase)

While the infections span all across the board it's mostly "being seen in adolescents, African American men and women and men who have sex with men."

MDHHS has partnered with local health departments, healthcare providers, and community-based organizations to make sure people are not only getting tested & treated but have an awareness as well. They've also added more STD specialty centers in high-risk areas.

All three STDs can be treated with antibiotics but can cause serious harm if left untreated, including spreading the disease to a partner.

According to the CDC, STDs are currently at an all-time high in the U.S. including an alarming number of newborn deaths due to congenital syphilis.

If you're sexually active use your head (your other one) and practice safe sex which includes yearly testing even if you're in a monogamous relationship.

More From 97.9 WGRD