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 report that, as of the year 2000, about 65 million Americans are living with an STD, and millions more will become infected each year. Most Infections occur in people 25 and younger. The situation is much worse in other parts of the world, and ignorance is the key factor placing people at risk. Some STDs exhibit no immediate symptoms and only awareness and education can reduce the risk of infection. The Encyclopedia of Sexually Transmitted Diseases provides more than 300 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. Appendixes include resources, statistics, and a bibliography.
Directed to general readers and professionals, this work represents an effort to increase awareness and education about the serious problem of sexually transmitted diseases in the U.S and worldwide. The introduction gives an overview of the problem, which affects the 65 million Americans who were living with STDs in 2002, according to the CDC, and includes statistics and demographics, the "why" behind the problem and its scope, major STDs, the global HIV/AIDS picture, and recent developments.
In A-Z format, entries present material in clear, succinct language. They cover causes, cures, key research, medical terms, symptoms, treatments, trends, organizations, and agencies. Entries such as Kaposi's sarcoma, Psychiatric disorders, Shingles, and Tuberculosis deal with conditions peripherally associated with some STDs. Other articles giving helpful practical information are Condom, Insurance, Reporting and confidentiality, and Talking with a sex partner. Although articles on various aspects of HIV are the most prominent, other STDs are well covered.
The bibliography is extensive, and the appendixes are good. They include, among other items, resources for information (Web sites and hotlines), an HIV/AIDS time line beginning in 1980, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for home care for HIV/AIDS patients, and a convenient "Sexually Transmitted Diseases at a Glance."
Broader in scope than the Encyclopedia of HIV and AIDS [RBB D 1 03], this work is appropriate for public and academic libraries. Currency of information and clarity of presentation make it an excellent choice. RBB
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