The HSE have launched a free online service to provide people in Ireland the option to test for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) at home.
People aged 17 and older can order a free STI test kit on the online platform, which is delivered to their home by post.
Users complete the tests at home and post the samples to the laboratory in the pre-paid envelope provided.
Individuals receive their results by text or phone, and those who require further testing and treatment are referred to participating public STI clinics, with the HSE saying this ensures a "seamless individual experience"
This new service is generally most suitable for individuals who do not have symptoms of an STI. Anyone who has symptoms of an STI is advised to attend an STI clinic or their GP for assessment.
You can get the kits on SexualWellbeing.ie.
So far in 2022, we've seen a huge spike in STI cases in comparison to 2021.
Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, T.D., said: "The development of the online STI testing programme is one of the most important innovations in our sexual health services in recent years.
"This service has already been the subject of a very successful pilot project, initially funded by the Sláintecare Integration Fund and developed by the HSE Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Programme (HSCPP), which in its first five months, saw over 13,000 home testing kits being delivered.
"Since the conclusion of that pilot programme work has been ongoing on expanding this to a national service, and I was pleased to be able to secure €550,000 in funding in the recent Budget to progress this further.”
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