November 16, 2023 – People who wish to get tested for the sexually transmitted diseases chlamydia and gonorrhea can now accomplish that without leaving their home.
It's called Simple 2 and it's the primary FDA-approved test that uses a home-collected sample to check for a sexually transmitted disease, unlike HIV testing. The test could be purchased over-the-counter with out a prescription or ordered online and delivered in discreet packaging. A vaginal swab or urine sample is taken after which sent for laboratory testing with a prepaid shipping label.
The FDA issued the ultimate decision permit on Wednesday, and the product is already available on website from the manufacturer LetsGetChecked. The listed price is $99 with free shipping for a single test kit. The site offers a reduced subscription where you get a kit every three months for $69.30 per kit.
The variety of gonorrhea cases has increased by 28% since 2017, reaching 700,000 cases in 2021. CDC data show. Chlamydia can be on the rise, up 4% from 2020 to 2021 with 1.6 million annual infections. Both chlamydia and gonorrhea are spread through sex, including oral sex, with out a condom and are particularly common in people under 25.
Often, gonorrhea And Chlamydia don’t have any symptoms. However, signs may include vaginal or penile discharge or a burning sensation when peeing, which could be confused with other conditions. That's why testing is vital, in accordance with CDC fact sheets.
The diseases affect each men and girls and could be cured with medication. But women who don't receive treatment for chlamydia risk everlasting damage to their reproductive system. Gonorrhea could cause pelvic inflammatory disease in women, which increases the chance of infertility. Infertility may also occur in men who don’t receive treatment. Both gonorrhea and chlamydia could be passed from a pregnant person to an unborn child.
Previously, testing for the 2 sexually transmitted diseases required samples to be collected at a healthcare location, comparable to a health care provider's office. Simple 2 test results could be found online, and a healthcare provider will contact people whose tests are positive or invalid. According to a, results are often available inside 2 to five days Press release from LetsGetChecked, which also offers treatment services.
“This approval represents an important public health milestone, providing patients with more information about their health from the privacy of their own homes,” said Jeff Shuren, MD, JD, director of the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health, in an announcement Explanation. “We are committed to continuing to support greater consumer access to diagnostic testing, which will help us advance our goal of bringing more healthcare into the home.”