From Booklist
For a slightly younger audience than Little's book reviewed elsewhere in this issue, this Hot Issues series title offers an informative, accessible introduction to STDs and their potential health risks. Direct prose effectively explains many types of STDs, transmission, symptoms, treatment, and myths versus facts, incorporating related charts for quick referral. Each chapter opens with cautionary scenarios that, though somewhat melodramatic, illustrate consequences of various situations, from having one-time, unprotected sex to facing peer pressure. The book stresses the importance of awareness and preventative measures, including a sidebar on how to properly use a condom; and it acknowledges that only abstinence offers complete protection. Diverse, fairly extensive sources are listed in chapter notes; charts are based on recent findings. Readers will find this title honest as well as helpful for making responsible choices. A few photos and illustrations serve mainly to break up the text. A brief list of organizations, a glossary, and further readings are appended. Shelle Rosenfeld

Card catalog description
Describes different kinds of sexually transmitted diseases, including gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, pelvic inflammatory disease, herpes, hepatitis, and AIDS, explaining how they are transmitted, how they manifest themselves, and how they can be avoided or treated.

ANNOTATION

Describes different kinds of sexually transmitted diseases, including gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, pelvic inflammatory disease, herpes, hepatitis, and AIDS, explaining how they are transmitted, how they manifest themselves, and how they can be avoided or treated.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Today, AIDS is the most high profile sexually transmitted disease (STD) that is in the news. But there are other lesser-known STDs such as herpes, gonorrhea, and syphilis that can easily go undetected and that young people should know about. In Sexually Transmitted Diseases.' A Hot Issue, Ann Byers describes the ailments that can be contracted through sexual contact, their symptoms, and, in some cases, their cures. Media and societal attitudes towards STDs are also addressed in this book.

FROM THE CRITICS

Science Book & Fiction

"Sex is for the moment but an STD is for a lifetime." Echoing these haunting, but true, words, this "hot issues" book tackles the world of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and their effects. Author Ann Byers not only describes all the major STDs, their symptoms, and possible cures, but also discusses the changing attitudes and mores that have led to an increase in sexual activity which has resulted in over a million people a year being diagnosed with an STD. Once the "whys" of STDs are examined, the book moves on to a clear description of the types of infections and the diseases themselves. Numerous charts and graphs help to emphasize the information and make it easier to understand. Since preventing STDs is the goal of health officials, the book's final chapter discusses how eliminating risky behavior, choosing partners carefully, and using a condom help stem the tide of STDs. But, Byers points out, abstinence and a drug-free lifestyle are the only sure way to remain healthy.