Millions of Aussies can now test for STIs from the comfort of their own home: What you need to know
The first-ever self-test kits for gonorrhea and chlamydia will be rolled out to millions of Australians amid a ‘worrying’ rise in cases.
The kits, recently approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration, will be sold at pharmacies and online in the coming weeks.
The tests, designed for women only, can provide a result for sexually transmitted infections (STDs) in just 15 minutes.
The diseases are detected by a single swab in the kits, which are produced by Sydney diagnostic test manufacturer Touch Biotechnology.
CEO Matt Salihi said the kits will prevent the spread of STDs and protect the privacy of women who can now test in a comfortable environment.
“It marks significant progress in improving women’s sexual health options in Australia, hopefully reducing the number of infections that go undiagnosed and enabling more people to receive appropriate and timely treatment,” he said .
‘We hope it will enable women to take the first step towards getting a diagnosis.’
Before women could test at home, they had to undergo a laboratory or PCR test, which can be expensive and also invasive for some patients.
First-ever self-test kits for gonorrhea and chlamydia will be rolled out to millions of Australians amid ‘worrying’ rise in cases (stock)
The very first self-test kits (pictured) can detect two different infections in just 15 minutes
One in six Australians will contract an STD in their lifetime, according to federal government data, amid a ‘worrying’ increase in STD diagnoses.
Cases of gonorrhea have skyrocketed by 157 percent and chlamydia by 26 percent, with more than 110,000 cases reported in Australia last year.
Common symptoms of gonorrhea in women include pain and discomfort in various parts of the body, including the throat and eyes.
These symptoms can often be mistaken for other infections and fear of judgment and stigma can lead some Aussies not to get tested.
General Manager at Touch Biotechnology Matt Gencer said if STDs in women are left untreated, they can cause major health problems.
“That’s why it’s incredibly important that women get tested for STDs if they experience even the slightest symptoms or are concerned about their partner’s sexual activity,” Gencer said.