A group of teenage boys believe they have found the perfect solution to detecting a sexually transmitted infection (STI): a color-changing condom.
The “S.T. EYE” condom, created by Chirag Shah, 14, Muaz Nawaz, 13 and Daanyaal Ali, 14, is designed to change color when it comes into contact with an STI. The East London students came up with the idea after discovering how big a problem STIs (more commonly known here as sexually transmitted diseases or STDs) are in the UK.
The antibodies in the S.T. EYE condom could detect whether or not there is a bacteria or virus associated with an STI, both in the condom wearer and his partner. Once the condom comes in contact with the STI, it changes color—although the exact shade the condom turns will depend on the STI. Since reaction times vary for different infections, the condom could eventually include a layer tests for diseases such as herpes, chlamydia and syphilis.
Currently, the S.T. EYE condoms are in the planning stage but a condom manufacturer has approached the boys and is willing to help them go forward with the idea.
According to the World Health Organization, on average, more than one million people acquire a sexually-transmitted disease every day. The UK’s National Health Service says chlamydia is the leading STI and can easily be passed on during sex.
Source for Today’s Article:
Sarkarm M. et al., “Detecting STIs: Teens believe a color-changing condom is the answer,” CNN web site, June 26, 2015; http://www.cnn.com/2015/06/24/health/condoms-change-color/index.html.