New Solution for STI Testing
Testing for sexually transmitted diseases/infections (STIs) is extremely important for individuals who are sexually active, especially when multiple partners are involved. Unfortunately, many individuals resist undergoing testing because of the embarrassment of having to go to the doctor’s office to have these tests ordered. This is very common in younger individuals, who are more likely to have multiple partners and be at higher risk for developing STIs. Fortunately there is a new solution to STI testing.
SelfCollect for at Home STI Testing
There is a new patient option for STI testing, which allows for testing of many common sexually transmitted infections from the comfort of the patient’s home. Recent corporate sponsor of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP) – since January – and advocate for the naturopathic profession, SelfCollect, offers individual at home testing kits for the following infections: HPV, chlamydia/gonorrhea, HSV 1 and 2, Ureaplasma and mycoplasma, trichomonas, as well as combined testing panels. The kits range from $59 (Chlamydia/Gonorrhea) to $148 dollars.
How it Works
Kits are able to be ordered and shipped directly to the patient’s home, either by the physician, or the individual patient. Shipping is included in the purchase price (both ways), and turn around time for results is approximately 4 business days. All specimens are tested at a CLIA certified laboratory, using standard FDA approved testing methods. All correspondence, and information is handled through strict HIPPA compliant measures, and only minimal information is required to receive a testing kit – date of birth and shipping address. Packaging is all non-descript.
Oraquick for at Home HIV Testing
SelfCollect does not currently offer at home HIV testing, however, for patients who are interested in this, Oraquick, an FDA approved at home saliva test, is available. This HIV test has been approved by the FDA as having a 92% test sensitivity (percentage of correct positives, when HIV is present), and 99.98% specificity (percentage of correct negative results).
Sources:
https://selfcollect.com
http://www.oraquick.com
Node Smith, associate editor for NDNR, is a fifth year naturopathic medical student at NUNM, where he has been instrumental in maintaining a firm connection to the philosophy and heritage of naturopathic medicine amongst the next generation of docs. He helped found the first multi-generational experiential retreat, which brings elders, alumni, and students together for a weekend campout where naturopathic medicine and medical philosophy are experienced in nature. Three years ago he helped found the non-profit, Association for Naturopathic ReVitalization (ANR), for which he serves as the board chairman. ANR has a mission to inspire health practitioners to embody the naturopathic principles through experiential education. Node also has a firm belief that the next era of naturopathic medicine will see a resurgence of in-patient facilities which use fasting, earthing, hydrotherapy and homeopathy to bring people back from chronic diseases of modern living; he is involved in numerous conversations and projects to bring about this vision.