"The Truth About Herpes is more than a resource for patients with herpes. It is a necessity. It has been written with all the information a doctor should know about this important disease but it has also been written with compassion and in a language every patient will understand." Dr. Michael V. Reitano, Editor-in-Chief of Sexual Health Magazine, Director of the Herpes Advice Center, Attending physician New York University

"The new edition of The Truth About Herpes is an excellent addition to the literature and provides a comprehensive account of the clinical features, new diagnostic methods, advances in treatment, and psychological implications of genital herpes. All patients with genital herpes should read this book." Dr. Adrian Mindel, Academic Unit of Sexual Health Medicine, The University of Sydney, The University of New South Wales

"This new edition of Dr. Sacks's book continues its tradition of service to patients by providing cutting-edge information in a reader-friendly style." Dr. S.L. Spruance, Professor of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Utah

"I wanted to write a note of thanks and appreciation. The past eight weeks have changed my life considerably and because of you, I am learning to cope with herpes. It's hard to imagine that the course of one evening can change so much in one's life. I've done the "guilt and feeling sorry for myself" numbers and now through you and your book it's time to accept, learn and live. I related to so much in your book (as I'm sure everyone in similar predicaments does) that I almost felt it was written for me. You put things in simple terms and with humour in appropriate places...The time and effort you put into your work reflects the kind of man you are. We, as patients, have a lot to thank you for, both as a professional doctor and as a very understanding man. Again—thank you so much for everything." L.W. , Vancouver

From the back cover of the fourth edition of the book The Truth About Herpes by Dr. Stephen L. Sacks

About this Book

Health care professionals recommend that you read this book, whether or not genital herpes is an issue in your life. So many people have genital herpes that avoiding this infection has become a real challenge. Dr. Sacks teaches that the greatest risk comes from sexual contact with people who think they don't have herpes but really do. People who know they have herpes can dramatically reduce the risk of transmitting herpes by following a few simple rules that are provided in this book.

Written in straightforward language, The Truth About Herpes provides invaluable information for people with herpes, health care professionals, educators, and anyone who is or plans to be sexually active, whether those plans include one lifetime partner or a hundred partners.

Health care professionals will find it helpful to refer people with herpes to this book to learn more about the virus. Counseling time can then be more focused on individuals' needs.

This edition of The Truth About Herpes has been completely updated. Some of the topics covered include:

• an accurate genital herpes blood test
• methods of prevention
• advances in herpes vaccines
• methods of transmission
• viral shedding, with and without symptoms
• coping with herpes
• telling your partner
• the psychology of herpes
• living with the herpes secret
• herpes treatments old and new
• herpes and cancer
• herpes and the newborn
• nongenital herpes infections

About the Author

Stephen L. Sacks, M.D., is a clinician and specialist in infectious diseases and a renowned expert on herpes and other sexually transmitted diseases. Dr. Sacks is Professor of Pharmacology and Therapeutics at the University of British Columbia, has been a member of the university's Division of Infectious Diseases, and is founder of Viridae Clinical Sciences, Inc., a virology research think tank. He received his A.B. with honors from the University of Pennsylvania and his M.D. from the University of Cincinnati and was a postdoctoral scholar at Stanford University Medical Center. He serves on the clinical trials committee of the International Advisory Council of the International Society for Antiviral Research and has served as consultant to the Antiviral Advisory Committee of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. In 1995, he co-edited a review text on herpes for physicians, Clinical Management of Herpes Virus Infections.