CHARLOTTE, NC — The number of Americans contracting sexually transmitted diseases is about to reach epidemic levels this year, and North Carolina is not immune from the problem, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The highest number ever of chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis cases — more than 2 million — was reported across the nation, the CDC says, with the Tar Heel State ranking highly in cases of all three diseases.

While all three can be cured with antibiotics, if they are not diagnosed and go untreated, they can have serious health consequences, including infertility, pelvic pain, organ damage, life-threatening ectopic pregnancy, neurological deterioration, stillbirth in infants and increased risk for HIV transmission. "Increases in STDs are a clear warning of a growing threat," said Dr. Jonathan Mermin, director of CDC's National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention. "STDs are a persistent enemy, growing in number, and outpacing our ability to respond."

Cases of all three sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs, have increased for the first time since 2006, data released by the CDC in April show. April is national STD Awareness Month, and the CDC has several ways people and providers can participate.

Individuals are encouraged to talk about STDs with their partners and to get tested. Ways to reduce the risk of getting and transmitting STDs are using protection, practicing abstinence or reducing the number of partners. Find a testing site using this CDC resource locator.

Find an STD testing site near you. Syphilis Cases Increase

Washington, D.C., has the highest rate of syphilis in the United States, according to the data with 161 cases and a rate of 16.1 per 100,000 people. North Carolina, by comparison, was ranked the No. 8 state for the STD with 1,082 cases reported in 2016.

The states with the highest syphilis rates are as follows: Louisiana — 750 cases at a rate of 16.1 per 100,000 population

Nevada — 444 cases at a rate of 15.4 per 100,000 population

California — 5,8,91 cases at a rate of 15.0 per 100,000 population

Georgia — 1,350 cases at a rate of 13.2 per 100,000 population

New York — 2,455 cases at a rate of 12.4 per 100,000 population

Florida — 2,406 cases at a rate of 11.9 per 100,000 population

Mississippi — 326 cases at a rate of 10.9 per 100,000 population

North Carolina — 1,082 cases at a rate of 10.8 per 100,000 population Syphilis can start as a painless sore that appears three weeks after exposure to an infected person and heals on its own within three to six weeks, officials say. If left untreated, syphilis can go on to cause a rash, swollen lymph nodes, fever and damage to the heart, brain, nerves, eyes, joints, bones, liver and blood vessels, according to the Mayo Clinic.