Talk About STDs

Newswise — No one wants to talk about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), but not talking about the problem only makes it worse, says Edward Hook, M.D., UAB professor of medicine. One in four American's has genital herpes, but only one in every 10 people who are infected knows. "Herpes is probably one of the best examples of society's resistance to confront STDs." One major consequence of STDs is that they pave the way for other infections. For example, those with herpes are three times more likely to become infected with HIV. "People need to acknowledge that STDs are an unfortunate consequence of sexual activity. They need to not judge. And we as a society need to address STDs and their complications."