Unfortunately, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are a reality, and in case of infection, coming to terms with them is quite hard for anyone. Millions are unfortunately diagnosed with HIV every year, one of the most deadly diseases for which a cure has not been found yet. People who test positive to the virus today can live a “normal and healthy” life, although having to swallow multiple pills a day and live with the consequences of their side effects.
The way to discover whether you have contracted an STD is to get tested. But it may require time: in the case of HIV, for example, there is a “window period” of 4 weeks during which the virus will not show whether it is present or not (therefore altering the results).
A revolutionary idea
Three British schoolboys have come up with an incredible solution which would reduce the STD infections around the world. They came up with the idea of a condom which changes colour when it detects a disease. The intent of those behind this idea would be to “make life simpler, easier and better”.
The idea, which is still at the “concept” stage, involves a condom covered with antibodies which react in the presence of bacteria of an STD.
By taking inspiration from HIV-tests, which use colour-changing technology to detect the virus, one of the boys behind this new concept of condoms explains: “Once the body fluids come into contact with the latex, if the person does have some sort of STI, it will cause a reaction through antibodies and antigens hanging on to each other, which triggers an antibody reaction causing a colour change”.
The students explained how the colour of the condom would change according to the STD detected – green for chlamydia, purple for genital warts, blue for syphilis and yellow for herpes.
Thousands diagnosed with STDs yearly
They came up with this idea even by just looking at the figures – in 2013 alone, as many as 450,000 people were diagnosed with an STD.
Whether these colour changing and revealing condoms could lacteally turn into reality, is still not known.
Possible, but not a reality yet
Dr. Mark Lawton from the Royal Liverpool Hospital commented on how “It’s possible, [but] I’m not sure we have what we need at the moment.”, however complimenting the students for being aware of the issue of STDs and trying to reduce the problems they cause.
As a reward, the three schoolboys won £1,000 ($1,570) for they project and will meet the Duke of York in Buckingham Palace in London this fall.
HidrateMe reminds you to take care of yourself, much like these colored condoms:
STD Infection? Check the Condom’s Colour
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