A Sydney biotech startup has developed a RAT self-testing kit for women to tell if you’ve got the clap

The clap is back big time. Over the past decade, the levels of the sexually transmitted infection (STI) gonorrhoea have increased by 157%.

Chlamydia is also on the rise up 26% and is now the most reported communicable disease in Australia, with over 110,000 cases in 2023.

But the infection, which is often appears asymptomatic, but can lead to complications for women ranging from pelvic inflammatory disease to arthritis, infertility and ectopic pregnancy often goes undiagnosed, in part because of a lack of awareness, putting aside the fact people are reluctant to be tested due to a fear of the stigma.

Gonorrhoea can stay dormant for around six months before showing symptoms.

Sydney startup Touch Biotechnology is hoping to change that with a self-test kit for chlamydia and gonorrhoea for women that’s just been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

Founded in 2020, and initially tackling the Covid pandemic with disinfectants and Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) home tests, the business went on to develop a a triple Combo for RSV, flu, and Covid-19.

Now Touch is getting into sexual health and the infections you pick up touching others in private places.

The TGA-approved Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea self-test will be available in the next few weeks at pharmacies, and elsewhere to test if the one you loved left a unwelcome souvenir of the moment.

Touch Biotechnology CEO Matt Salihi said that until now checking for both STIs involved an invasive and costly lab or PCR test that took 1-3 days for results,

“The introduction of the first rapid self-test kit for Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea will aid in the prevention of STIs because with increased access to accurate, private testing, we hope it will empower women to take the first step towards receiving a diagnosis,” he said.

“It marks significant progress in improving the options for female sexual health in Australia, hopefully reducing the number of infections that go undiagnosed and enabling more people to receive appropriate and timely treatment for infection that prevents further health complications.

Salihi gave the dad talk about the risks of unprotected sex “because despite the perceived stigma, STIs impact so many Australians amounting to much more than uncomfortable symptoms” pointing out the complications, none of which are pleasant.

The important thing is to know.

“While this self-test can aid early detection, comprehensive STI screening and follow-up care are best managed in consultation with a healthcare provider,” he said.

The good news is that it’s fixed with antibiotics.

And if you’re wondering why this story features a photo of a koala, chlamydia is a massive problem for them too, leading to inflamed eyes, brownish stains and a wet bum, and threatening the survival of whole colonies.

And yes, they get it the same way humans do.