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ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — State health officials are concerned that Minnesotans aren't getting the message about safe sex and about testing and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases.
The Minnesota Department of Health on Wednesday reported the rate of sexually transmitted diseases in Minnesota rose 10 percent from 2012 to 2013.
But the increases were much higher for some diseases, with syphilis up 64 percent and gonorrhea up 26 percent.
The Star Tribune (http://strib.mn/1meROXa ) reports there were a record 18,724 cases of chlamydia in Minnesota in 2013, a 4 percent increase from the year before.
State health commissioner, Dr. Ed Ehlinger, says untreated STDs can have serious health consequences.
Since most STDs don't show symptoms, Ehlinger says it's important for sexually active people to get tested each year or when involved with a new partner.
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