Seductive Delusions: How Everyday People Catch STDs

by Jill Grimes

Anyone can catch a sexually transmitted disease. STDs are widespread in all walks of life, regardless of gender, race, social status, or education. Seduced into complacency by the notion that "it can’t happen to me," many sexually active teens and young adults are stunned when they are diagnosed with an STD. To drive home the risks and realities of unprotected sex, Dr. Jill Grimes narrates real-life stories of young people infected with STDs. The accounts of these young men and women, and their exam-room conversations with their doctors, evoke both the physical symptoms and the emotional reactions that can accompany infection. Dr. Grimes introduces each disease with a pair of stories that capture the distinct experiences of a man and a woman, in the process allowing readers to identify and empathize with such patients. The stories are followed by an information section that provides medical facts and answers to frequently asked questions about symptoms, treatment, and prevention. Whether reading the book from cover to cover or jumping directly to a specific disease, readers will relate to the dramatic stories while learning medically reliable information to help them make decisions about life and love. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently reported that one in four teenage girls in the United States has a sexually transmitted disease. Seductive Delusions reveals what physicians across America see every day. Anyone who is sexually active is at risk and needs to read this book.

Genres: Nonfiction

280 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Jeanine Marie Swenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Experienced family physician, Dr. Jill Grimes, weaves everyday stories about real people and their sexual experiences into the second part of the story which also includes consequences, and for some embarrassing and painful illness (some of which will be life-long) to help patients navigate selection of healthy behaviors.

[Robyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saw her speak recently. Eye opening. If you get a chance to see her (or more importantly, if you get a chance for your kids to see her) go!

[Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

A terrific book that should be read by everyone.

In sum - STIs can be caught not just through vaginal sex, but oral sex as well. Some STIs such as HSV-1 (Herpes) can be caught through kissing and intimate skin-to-skin contact (furthermore, HSV has no cure, only harm reduction tools). Not to mention that many of the bacterial STIs due to bacterial resistance, are increasingly difficult to cure. Condoms will not fully protect the users, since the coverage of condoms is limited. The only way to prevent one from catching STIs is abstinence of sex, or only maintain monogamous sex with frequent STI tests.

Few other notes:

- HSV-1 is not screened via standard STI test, one should ask a doctor superficially for it.

- Oral sex does not make sex safer. STIs can still easily get spread through oral.

- HSV will be a pain in the genitals. There are no cure, once one have it, they will have it for life (and depends on the situation, might have to take pills for it for the rest of their live)

- Many of the STIs (such as HSV) worsens with stress

- STIs spread even during asymptomatic episodes (and the author noted, asymptomatic spread happens more often because people are not as guarded)

-Condom only reduce risk, it will not eliminate risk

-STI spread through things like hot tubs, toilet seats are rather unlikely

-HPV can’t be effectively screened for male. HPV vaccine is available and effective (but only for type 6 and 11, and 16 and 18). HPV has numerous types grouped under the same umbrella.

- Resistance to many STIs are increasing, so doctors now often don’t have a cure to some STIs.

[Rhapsody Phoenix · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicely written from a storytelling perspective rather from a lecture Judgemental perspective. Everyone who is sexually active, going to be sexually active, engaging in high-risk sexual activity, thinking of engaging in high-risk sexual activity should read this book. For all ages (15 - 94), gender, sexual orientation, identity, creed and class. The credo knowledge is power definitely applies to this book. Language, tone, rhyme accessible.

[Elizabeth Mellon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Grimes is an absolute genius who displays a wealth of knowledge for this epidemic in society. Thank you so much for your contribution! Knowledge is power!