SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - South Dakota is seeing what officials say is an alarming increase in sexually transmitted diseases.

They cite as reasons online acquaintances, a changing population and a relaxed view of risks.

The Argus Leader reports (http://argusne.ws/TGh7C2) that chlamydia infections in South Dakota have doubled since the late 1990s, and gonorrhea is twice as common now as it was five years ago. There also have been 17 cases of syphilis this year, after no cases were reported last year.

State Epidemiologist Lon Kightlinger says the fear of AIDS that swept the public consciousness in the 1980s helped curtail other diseases as well. But he says that isn't the case anymore because treatments for HIV-AIDS have improved.