STDs continue to be a health concern in one Wisconsin county

An annual report released by the La Crosee County Health Department in Wisconsin indicated that the growing prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) among area residents has become a recurring concern.

According to a recent article published by the La Crosse Tribune, the number of chlamydia diagnoses in the county increased from 362 to 415 in 2010, which is the highest rate recorded in several years.

However, health officials told the newspaper that the previously elevated prevalence of gonorrhea decreased significantly.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that chlamydia is the most frequently diagnosed STD in the U.S. More than 1.2 million Americans are infected with the disease each year, the organization states.

While chlamydia can be cured with antibiotics, individuals who are treated can still become reinfected if they continue to engage in risky sexual behaviors. Some people who have the STD live with it unwittingly since they may not experience symptoms. However, chlamydia can cause irreversible damage to a woman's reproductive system if left untreated, which may result in infertility.