A report just released from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says the rate of infection for sexually transmitted diseases (STD’s) had a significant increase in 2014, with some infections reaching record highs.

A report on time.com says the CDC release reported that cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis increased for the first time since 2006.  Every year, the CDC receives reports for over 70 infectious diseases, that also includes measles and tuberculosis.

In 2014, cases of chlamydia, one of the most common of STD’s, increased 2.8 percent over the previous year, with 1.4 million cases reported to the agency.  The CDC says that is the highest number of yearly cases ever reported to the CDC for any condition.

Other STD’s increased as well, with syphilis recording a 15.1 percent increase in those infected with the first two stages of the disease, and a 5.1 percent increase for cases of gonorrhea, compared to 2013.

In a statement, the CDC says that “While anyone can become infected with an STD, certain groups, including young people and gay and bisexual men, are at greatest risk.”  The agency noted women and young people are the groups that are infected by STD’s at the highest rates.

Calling the increase in rates “alarming,” the CDC called for more research into the causes, adding that the rates are probably even higher, since many cases of STD’s go unreported or are not diagnosed.

The CDC advocates screening for all sexually active people, of all ages.  They recommend that women in particular, who are sexually active and under the age of 25, or have multiple sexual partners, to have a screening for STD’s every year.

They also advise pregnant women to request syphilis, HIV, chlamydia, and hepatitis B tests in the early stages of their pregnancy, especially if they have had multiple sex partners.

The agency also advised sexually active gay or bisexual men to be screened each year, and those at high risk to be screened more often.

Dr. Jonathan Mermin, director of CDC’s National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and Tuberculosis Prevention added in a statement, “America’s worsening STD epidemic is a clear call for better diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.”