Mobile Phones to be Used in UK to Diagnose STDs

The UK may be dispensing nano-technology chips that will enable cell phones and computers to diagnose for sexually transmitted diseases or infections. In order to combat the rising risk of sexually transmitted disease infection with people who may be too embarrassed to get tested at a clinic, the effort is targeted at tech-savvy young adults. A sample saliva or urine sample would be placed on the small lab kit, which would be available for purchase at vending machines, in night clubs, and where condoms are sold for about 50p or £1 each. After the sample fluid have been obtained, the mini device–the size of about a USB stick–would get plugged into either a computer or mobile phone for analysis. The hope is that self-testing would lead to faster diagnosis and reduced risk of infection and transmission.