STDs on the rise in Minnesota

New cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis increased 3 percent from 2017 to 2018, according to information released by the Minnesota state epidemiologist.

Dr. Ruth Lynfield said she and her colleagues are particularly concerned about a dramatic spike of 10 babies being born with syphilis in the state last year.

"Ten cases may not sound a lot to people, but for many, many years we had zero or one case," Lynfield said. "And in fact in 2015, when we had two cases, we were so concerned about it we made the recommendation women be screened multiple times during pregnancy."

Through screening, providers can detect and treat syphilis in pregnant women and head off serious health problems and even infant death, she said.

Syphilis "can lead to complications in babies including neurological complications, malformations, issues in their bones," Lynfield said. "And this is something that is easily screened for during and can be treated during pregnancy."

Lynfield said providers follow health officials' recommendation that they repeatedly screen pregnant women for syphilis, but not all pregnant women seek prenatal care. She stressed the need for all pregnant women to get repeated screenings.

"It is really important that people be screened. The screening is accurate, it is easy, and the treatment is effective," she said.