Surge in online diagnoses for STIs

There has been a surge in online testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), with nearly 1,000 people turning to the internet for diagnosis last year.

The data was released by Lloyds Online Doctor — Ireland’s first online testing service which enables patients to accurately test for chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and HIV at home.

After a short questionnaire, individuals conduct the test themselves and post their sample to a laboratory for assessment. They are notified of the results via a confidential online record.