In the UK a staggering one in eight women are infected and one in 30 men the number has grown by nearly

In the UK, a staggering one in eight women are infected and one in 30 men (the number has grown by nearly a quarter in the 10 years). Although sufferers may have several outbreaks a year, the fact that the disease isn't fatal means it does not attract the same attention as HIV.According to Dr Simon Barton, clinical director in HIV/genitourinary medicine at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London and a member of the workshop, more than 60 per cent of infected people don't even know that they have the condition, possibly because they don't have symptoms, but often because the lesions are internal (inside the urinary tract or vagina) or on the buttocks and thighs rather than on the genitals. Doctors, too, are unaware of possible symptoms - vaginal discharge or pain when urinating - so may not know what to look for.Sufferers are often very angry or depressed. Curtis says he came close to killing himself after he was diagnosed. But he has now come to terms with the virus, and believes it has had some positive effects on his sexual self-image "It changed my sexual behaviour," he says.

"I started to shoot only for people with whom it was worth sustaining a successful relationship." He now has a partner whom he confided in long before they had sex. "She made a choice and we are getting married next April."For more information, contact the International Herpes Management Forum on 01903 288188.. When I mentioned to my hairdresser that I was going snowboarding, she said: "Isn't that a bit like sledging? Don't you do it in the park?" Considering all the hype surrounding snowboarding my hairdresser has no excuse for such an outrageous display of ignorance. The fastest growing sport in recent years, snowboarding now attracts some three million riders and is due to be included in next year's winter Olympics.

It is predicted that by the year 2000, one in three winter holidaymakers will be hurling down a mountain on a plank of wood. Sexier than skiing, with its club-friendly clothing and thrill-seeking, danger-thirsty associations, snowboarding is more than just a sport for those participating It's a whole lifestyle. Like surfers, snowboarders are obsessive about perfect conditions, using the right equipment, wearing the right labels and finding the right parties. But unlike the vacuous impression given by style magazines such as i-D and Sky, there is more to all this than a flippant new fashion fad. Yes there are still hardcore factions of snowboarders attempting to keep the sport underground and exclusive, as if snowboarding were a precious subculture not fit for sharing with ordinary people. And yes, the images of perfectly formed twentysomethings back flipping through the alpine air, and of models cluelessly zipped into hi-tech boarding gear, might well give the impression that snowboarding is off limits to the over 30s, bank clerks, parents or anyone who isn't completely gorgeous. But the truth is that whether you work on the stock exchange or run a drum'n'bass club in Hoxton, once you've tasted fresh air and fresh snow at high speed, the addiction is the same.And in fact, for the most part, snowboarders are a friendly lot, happy to help and willing to encourage, and this is reflected by the industry which operates more like a self-supporting network than a calculating business. Snowboarding turns out to be one of the least pretentious, most accessible activities on offer, as anyone who is serious about taking up the sport will undoubtedly discover Getting past the image problem is one thing.

But it's getting to grips with the basic moves which really matters. How do actually go about learning the ropes?If you're a city dweller, you might be tempted to try out on a dry slope. This will supply you with the basics, but Dendex is much slower and stickier than snow, and also much harder, meaning your chances of injury are higher. During my second dry slope lesson I managed to break my hand, so be warned. Then there's the Snowdome at Tamworth, a sort of indoor mountain, but again, it's pretty hard to fall on, so pad up and keep your fists clenched.The very best way to introduce yourself to snowboarding, is to find some snow. There are now plenty of cheap package deals to choose from, with tuition from local ski schools across Europe, but this can be risky if you're a complete novice because you may end up in a large group with a bad teacher. Specialised snowboard holidays are growing in popularity, but again make sure you know what you're getting because you may find yourself staying in a party of skiiers.Snowboard camps, such as Neil McKnab's Kommunity Kamp and the Boardwise Scottish Camp, are worth checking out, as are trips laid on by snowboard shops such as Oxfordshire's SS20 and London's Low Pressure.

But following the highest recommendations both from nationwide retailers Snowboard Asylum and Britain's leading snowboard magazine, Snowboard UK, I decided to go with Chalet Snowboard. It was set up in 1995 by Ian Trotter and offers chalet-based trips to Les Deux Alpes and Avoriaz in France, and Lake Tahoe in America. The basic idea is to provide first-time and experienced snowboarders with comfortable accommodation, excellent guiding, top-of-the-range Burton boards, and (last but by no means least) social activities. As an almost complete beginner I didn't really know what to expect, but with guides to take care of both fast and slow riders, Chalet Snowboard caters for all standards, and I needn't have worried.