Testing For STDs Coming To An iPhone Near You?
November 8, 2010
We all know that water and iPhones don’t mix. But, what about urine? A new test could soon enable sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) to be diagnosed via a mobile phone or computer.
According to The Guardian, the UK Clinical Research Collaboration is looking at a way for individuals to test their urine for STDs with their mobile devices.
The Guardian reports:
The self-testing devices are aimed at technology-savvy young people. Public health experts are concerned that, although most STIs occur among that age group, many are too embarrassed to visit a GP or a genito-urinary medicine clinic to get tested and therefore continue to suffer and potentially pass the disease on. Doctors hope that the ability to obtain a private, confidential diagnosis will overcome their widespread reluctance to take a test.Users will be able to put urine or saliva on a small computer chip. This chip can then be plugged into a mobile device. Minutes later, the user will know if they have an STD. This is interesting news, and if successful, could definitely help people diagnose themselves without the need of visiting a doctor. And, why stop at STDs? Imagine a day when other diseases could be diagnosed with an iPhone. What do you think? Is this something worth bringing to the iPhone?