Men attracted to easy online chlamydia test
Over 10,000 people a month are using a new discreet online service to get themselves checked out for the most common sexually-transmitted disease.
Preventx are behind freetest.me, a website which enables under-25s to order a testing kit for chlamydia by post. You do the simple urine test at home and return it for analysis. It's all free. The kit is pictured on the right.
More and more NHS trusts are signing up to the scheme which has proved particularly popular with men. Since the site's launch in November 2008, there have been over 70,000 visitors - 40% of them male.
Why should you get checked out?
Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted infection and young people account for two thirds of all new cases. It is known as the 'silent infection', as there are often no symptoms. If left untreated it can cause infertility in men and women leaving you unable to have children.
Previous news stories on chlamydia:
- Aug 2008: Over the counter treatment for chlamydia
- April 2007: Is chlamydia testing of unders 25s working?
- August 2005: Condoms, chlamydia, cunnilingus: we're clueless
- May 2004: Yes, chlamydia harms men as well as women
- January 2004 :Testing improved for most common sexual infection
Page created on April 23rd, 2009
Page updated on January 16th, 2010
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