3 Sexually Transmitted Diseases Hit New Highs Again In US

MIAMI (CBSMiami/AP) - Infections from three sexually transmitted diseases have risen nationwide for the fifth consecutive year.

More than 1.7 million cases of chlamydia (kluh-MID'-ee-uh) were reported last year. The infection rate rose 3% from 2017.

It's the most ever reported in a year, though the trend is mainly attributed to increased testing.

About 580,000 gonorrhea (gah-nuh-REE'-uh) cases were reported. That's the highest number since 1991. The rate rose 5%.

Scientists worry antibiotic resistance may be a factor.

Syphilis rate rose 15%. About 35,000 cases of the most contagious forms of the disease were reported — also the most since 1991.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released the numbers Tuesday.

The increases coincided with public health funding cuts and clinic closures.

(© Copyright 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)