Sexually Transmitted Diseases Sourcebook, 7th Ed.

Every year, more than 20 million people in the United States are diagnosed with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that diagnosing, treating, and preventing these potentially life-threatening STDs is one of the greatest public health challenges today. For some STDs, such as the easily treatable chlamydia, the rates of reported cases are on the rise, especially among adolescent girls and young women. The diagnosis rates of other STDs, such as HIV (human immunodefi ciency virus), have decreased in recent years due to increased education and prevention efforts. Regardless of prevalence or severity, all STDs have signifi cant health consequences if they are not diagnosed and treated.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases Sourcebook, Seventh Edition offers basic information about sexual health and the screening, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of common sexually transmitted diseases, including chancroid, chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, hepatitis, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV/AIDS), human papillomavirus (HPV), syphilis, and trichomoniasis. It discusses trends in STD rates, developments in STD vaccine research, tips on talking to doctors and sexual partners, a glossary of related terms, and resources for additional help and information.

This book is divided into parts and chapters. Parts focus on broad areas of interest. Chapters are devoted to single topics within a part.

Part I: Introduction to Sexually Transmitted Diseases identifies the parts of the male and female reproductive system and discusses trends in STD rates in the United States and worldwide. It also examines the impact of these diseases on women, men, children and teens, and older adults. The part concludes with statistical information on minorities disproportionately affected by STDs and recent STD research findings.

Part II: Types of STDs identifies the symptoms, diagnoses, and treatments of common types of STDs, including chancroid, chlamydia, donovanosis, gonorrhea, herpes, hepatitis, HPV, lymphogranuloma venereum, syphilis, and trichomoniasis. The part also includes information on how HIV causes AIDS and the disease’s transmission, testing, and treatment, as well as strategies for living with HIV and paying for medical care.

Part III: Complications That May Accompany STD Infection provides information about infections and syndromes that may develop after sexual contact, such as bacterial vaginosis, cytomegalovirus, yeast infection, intestinal parasites, molluscum contagiosum, sexually transmitted gastrointestinal syndromes, pubic lice, and scabies. The part also provides information about conditions related to STDs that can cause long-term health complications for men and women, including cervicitis, epididymitis, infertility and pregnancy complications, pelvic inflammatory disease, and vaginitis.

Part IV: STD Testing and Treatment Concerns offers information about how medical professionals test patients for STDs and addresses common issues associated with STD testing, such as maintaining confidentiality and discussing STDs with healthcare providers. Information about unproven STD treatment products is also included.

Part V: STD Risks and Prevention discusses sexual behaviors that increase the likelihood of STD transmission, such as choosing high-risk partners and using illegal substances. The part also offers tips on talking to sexual partners and adolescents about STDs and addresses the effectiveness of sexual and abstinence education as forms of STD prevention. The part concludes with information about preventing STDs by using safer sex and barrier methods such as condoms, by using medication after a known exposure to STDs, by preventing the transmission of these diseases from a pregnant woman to her child, and by using STD vaccines and microbicides.

Part VI: Additional Help and Information provides a glossary of important terms related to sexually transmitted diseases and a directory of organizations that offer information to people with STDs or their sexual partners.