STI App Lets You Get Free Tests Delivered To Your Door (So There's No Excuse To Not Get Tested)
These STI Tests Can Be Ordered Online And Delivered To Your Door
Natasha Hinde— The Huffington Post UK
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There's nothing fun about waiting around to get tested at an STI clinic, which is why this app will send a testing kit straight to your front door.
SH:24 provides free and confidential testing for common STIs including chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis and HIV.
The hope is that more people will take charge of their sexual health and get themselves checked out.
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Many people with sexually transmitted infections have no symptoms, which is why it's incredibly important to get checked out.
Those who are too embarrassed (or lazy) to go to a public clinic and get themselves sorted can order the kit and do it from the comfort of their own homes.
The free testing kits can be ordered online or via the SH:24 app. When they arrive, recipients are asked to follow the instructions and then post their samples back in a freepost envelope (which is also provided).
Once the lab has received the samples and it has all been processed, the recipient will receive a text within seven days telling them if they have an infection or not, as well as what to do next.
Currently, the tests are free to residents in Southwark and Lambeth, where there are higher rates of sexually transmitted infections compared to the rest of the country.
However the scheme has the potential to be rolled out nationwide.
She tells HuffPost UK Lifestyle: "Anything which gives people an extra choice when it comes to looking after their sexual health is to be welcomed."
She adds: "Some people find it very difficult to access sexual health or GUM clinics, either because they can't get away from work or family commitments, or there isn't one close to where they live."
In the UK, postal testing schemes already exist such as the National Chlamydia Screening Programme for under 25s.
"We've seen rates of STIs increasing each year among older age groups, so it's important we don't focus only on the young," adds Halil.
"As well as making testing easily accessible, it's important that we ensure people have the knowledge and support they need to make informed choices about their sexual health, so they can protect themselves. This is as important for people in their 40s and 50s as it is young people learning about safer sex and healthy relationships at school."
The most common STI in the UK for a multitude of different of reasons. Chlamydia is unfortunately practically symptomless, meaning you could have it for years and not know. It is also one of the easiest diseases to spread amongst sexual partners, so you might not know you’re spreading it all over town.On occasion Chlamydia can cause a burning sensation when passing urine in both men and women but do not rely on this as a sign. The infection is easily treatable, so it’s best to get yourself checked as a local health clinic as soon as possible. (credit:Jason Hetherington via Getty Images)
Genital Warts(02 of10)
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As the name suggests, this sexually transmitted disease appears as small fleshy growths and bumps on or around your genital or anal area. The warts are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV) of which some types can lead to cervical cancer. Don’t worry; genital warts are not this strain. Genital warts cannot be fully cured and the disease can lay dormant, showing itself a year, two years or even longer after you initially contract it. The unsightly warts can be banished with the use of creams and cryotherapy (they freeze them off). (credit:Jupiterimages via Getty Images)
Genital Herpes(03 of10)
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Sadly another infection without a cure and with a massive stigma. Herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV), which is exactly the same virus that causes cold sores. People usually develop symptoms of HSV a few days after coming into contact with the virus. This is when small painful blisters develop which can cause itching, tingling or make it painful to urinate. Once you’ve been infected the virus remains dormant most of the time. If you have herpes be careful, the infection is much more likely to spread when you are having an outbreak so refrain from intercourse when sores and blisters are apparent. (credit:IPGGutenbergUKLtd via Getty Images)
Gonorrhoea(04 of10)
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Gonorrhoea is a bacterial STI easily passed on during sex. Roughly half of women and 10% of men don’t experience symptoms and much like Chlamydia, are often unaware they are infected. If you do experience symptoms, in women they usually present themselves as a burning sensation when urinating, vaginal discharge (which is often a watery yellow or green substance), pain in the lower abdomen during sex or bleeding after sex. Men should look out for a burning sensation when urinating, as well as discharge, and should watch out for tenderness in the testicles. Gonorrhoea can also infect your rectum, throat and even eyes. Luckily this infection is easily rid of through a course of antibiotics but should not be left untreated as it can lead to serious health problems. (credit:dolgachov via Getty Images)
Trichomoniasis(05 of10)
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Trichomoniasis is an STI caused by a small parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis. Again it can easily be passed on through sex and unfortunately it’s another infection that can be hard to notice from symptoms alone. Women can get frothy yellow or green discharge and men can also experience the same. Luckily this infection is treatable with a course of antibiotics. (credit:luchschen via Getty Images)
HIV (06 of10)
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HIV is mostly passed on through unprotected sex but it can also be transmitted by coming into contact with infected blood, the most common example of this is by sharing needles to inject drugs. The virus itself attacks and weakens the immune system, causing your body to struggle to fight infections and diseases. There is still unfortunately no cure for HIV but there are treatments that allow most people to live a long and healthy life. AIDS is the final stage of the HIV infection, where your body can no longer try to fight life threatening infections. A simple blood test is used to test for infection. (credit:Adam Petto via Getty Images)
Syphilis(07 of10)
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Syphilis is a bacterial infection that causes painless but very infectious sores on your genitals or around the mouth in its early stage. The sore usually lasts up to 6 weeks before disappearing. Symptoms that follow this can come in the form of rashes, flu like illness or patchy hair loss. The late stage of syphilis normally occurs many years after you initially contract the infection and can cause very serious conditions such as heart problems, blindness and even paralysis. Like HIV, a simple blood test can determine whether you have the condition or not and can be treated with antibiotics. (credit:Tetra Images via Getty Images)
Pubic Lice(08 of10)
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Pubic lice, or crabs as they are more commonly known, are easily passed to others through close genital contact. Much like head lice, they are usually found in hair, be this in your pubic hair or even in your underarm hair. The lice crawl from hair to hair but don’t jump or fly. They can be treated successfully with special creams or shampoos available over counter so you don’t need to go get the razor out. (credit:Dimitri Otis via Getty Images)
Hepatitis C(09 of10)
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Hepatitis C is a virus that can cause serious and potentially life-threatening damage to your liver. It is most commonly transmitted through the sharing of needles when injecting drugs or steroids, however it can also be spread during unprotected sex. The risk of the disease spread this way is increased if there are genital sores or ulcers from another sexually transmitted infection or if either person has contracted HIV. Hepatitis C is often treated successfully by taking a combination of medicines for several months. (credit:Wavebreakmedia Ltd via Getty Images)
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease(10 of10)
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Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is caused by an infection developed in the female upper genital tract. In the majority of cases, the condition is caused by a bacterial infection spread from the vagina all the way into the womb, fallopian tubes and ovaries. Although not technically an STI itself, it can be a bi-product of untreated STIS. It is estimated that one in 10 women with untreated Chlamydia will develop PID within a year. The disease can be treated easily and effectively with antibiotics if it’s caught early enough, however if the condition is left untreated it can lead to more serious complications. (credit:Piotr Marcinski via Getty Images)