[.ca] Sexually Transmitted Diseases: A Physician Tells You ... (ISBN 0801886597)

The Hard Truth:
I read the book for a research paper for one of my biology classes and was very impressed with it. The writer successfully explained in layman's terms the harsh truth about STDs. I recommend it to all. Everyone needs to be aware of the world we live in and we need to know the price we can pay for the decisions we make. I live in Miami, where the sex scene is everywhere: music, the club scene, movies, the media. You need to know before the bombardment of sexhits you, so that when you make your decisions, or mistakes, you are prepared. Educational, and yet interesting.

Sexually Transmitted Disease by Marr:
This book explains the male and female anatomy with particular emphasis on the causes and prevention of classic sexually transmitted diseases and disease processes. The author discusses herpes, lice, warts, yeast infections, testicle bacteria, gonorrhea, prostrate infections, urinary tract infections and a whole host of infectious diseases. There is an exhaustive discussion of safe sex which includes: o monogamy o abstinence o testing and checkups o avoidance of risk behaviors o outercourse o chlamydia bacteria and special tests PCR, LCR This book is valuable for anyone travelling overseas with an expectation of engaging multiple sex partners. The author explains the major disease processes, prevention strategies, testing, diagnosis and modern treatment modalities. The book is worth the price if you have questions about sexual contact and the risks/precautions involved.

If use is any indication...:
I am a consumer health librarian, and I keep a pretty close eye on my book collection to see what is being used. Although this book has never checked out in the 10 months we've had it, several times a week it moves around: it gets misshelved, set on top of the bookcase, taken into our waiting or reading area, left on a chair, etc. What this says to me is that there is a real demand for this information, but people are not inclined to check the book out and take it home (who wants to be spotted on the bus carrying a book on STDs?). So, people are sneaking a peek at the information when they can. Besides being heavily used, this is a fine book that covers the full gamut of STDs, including many that I had not heard of (and I'm pretty savvy about medical terms and disease names), and helpful sections on genital anatomy, "What is 'safe sex'?", a symptom key, what to expect in an examination, and a section on how open communication can help save your life and health in a sexual situation. I wouldn't call the writing style fascinating, but it gets the information across in spades, and does not talk down or confuse. The book also has the full complement of appendices: resource list, glossary, bibliography (largely clinical medical articles), and an excellent index. This is a seriously good consumer health book, and I wish they were all like this, regardless of topic. p.s.--When I went to get the book in the library stacks just now, it was misshelved again. ;)