A study by the Riverside County Department of Public Health shows sexually transmitted diseases are on the rise in the county, though rates statewide are going down. Gonorrhea rates in Riverside County increased 28 per cent between 2005 and 2007, but decreased in Orange, San Bernardino and San Diego counties - as well as statewide. Chlamydia rates in our county went up 36 per cent from 2002 to last year. If left untreated, Chlamydia can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility. Both Chlamydia and Gonorrhea can be transmitted to a baby during childbirth if the mother is infected. At this time, County officials don’t know the cause for the increases.