Encyclopedia of Sexually Transmitted Diseases

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.Shoquist, Jennifer is the author of 'Encyclopedia of Sexually Transmitted Diseases' with ISBN 9780816048816 and ISBN 0816048819.