Summary
Despite steady educational efforts, sexually transmitted diseases remain some of the most common causes of illness worldwide. Health experts believe that more than 12 million new infections occur each year in the U.S. alone. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that about 65 million Americans were living with an STD in 2000, and millions more are becoming infected each year. Most infections occur in people aged 25 and younger. The situation is much worse in other parts of the world, and ignorance is the key factor placing people at risk. In 2002, for example, HIV/AIDS-related illnesses killed more than 3 million people worldwide, including approximately 610,000 children younger than age 15. There are many different STDs, and some exhibit no immediate symptoms—many can be contained through treatment and all present their own array of health problems. Only awareness and education can reduce the risk of infection.
The Encyclopedia of Sexually Transmitted Diseases provides more than 600 entries explaining the different types of STDs, how they function and how they are spread, what kinds of care and treatment are available, how to decrease the risk of becoming infected, how to recognize the symptoms, key groups at risk, education, clinical studies, and much more. Providing current information based on recent statistics, this comprehensive volume is an important educational resource. For fast access to important data, appendixes include resources, statistics, and a bibliography.
Specifications
Index. Appendixes. Bibliography. Cross-references.
About the Author(s)
Jennifer Shoquist, M.D., is a family practice physician affiliated with Baylor-Methodist Primary Care Associates. She specializes in women’s health and is an expert on sexually transmitted diseases. An honors graduate, Dr. Shoquist received her B.A. in biology from the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas, in 1992, and her medical degree from The University of Texas Medical School of Houston in 1996. Dr. Shoquist often is asked to speak to groups on women’s health, and she frequently answers people’s questions on sexually transmitted diseases on the Internet.
Diane Stafford is a respected health writer who has won awards for her work in this area. She has worked in various editorial capacities for a number of magazines, including Houston Health & Fitness, Dallas Health & Fitness (founder/editor-in-chief), and Texas Woman Magazine. A former speechwriter for astronauts, Stafford now edits books for Arte Publico Press in Houston and works as a freelance writer. Health issues have been the focus of her writing career. She has written more than 1,000 health and medical articles.