Cases of most common STD fell for first time in 30 years

Cases of most common STD fell for first time in 30 years

For the first time in three decades, the nation's most common sexually transmitted disease is a little less common.

Health officials on Tuesday said the rate and number of chlamydia (kluh-MID'-ee-uh) cases fell last year, by 1.5 percent. But there were still 1.4 million new cases reported - more than any other sexually transmitted disease. Experts are not sure what to make of the one-year drop.

Chlamydia is easily treated with antibiotics. Untreated, it can damage a woman's reproductive system.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also reported gonorrhea cases declined, by less than 1 percent. The numbers for the most contagious forms of syphilis rose about 10 percent - to 17,375. The increase was mainly among gay men.

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