Health experts are concerned about large increases in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the UK: “Two-thirds of women reporting a new STI were under 25, as were more than half of men.” Doctors and technology experts in the UK are currently developing mobile rapid-test kits similar to pregnancy tests that would allow users to diagnose sexually transmitted diseases (STDs for short) according to The Guardian Online. Their reasoning appears to be that when someone begins experiencing symptoms, it can be too embarrassing to go to the doctor to find out. Having a private option similar to the home pregnancy test should, in theory, lead to individuals testing themselves sooner, thus encouraging them to seek treatment faster.
What do you think? Would such devices help reduce the number of STIs in developed countries like the UK, USA, and others? What about the risks and impacts of false results, both positive and negative?
