A new smartphone app has been developed to allow people to share their STD-status at parties before going home with someone who may leave them with a regrettable infection.
Doctors in New Jersey think the new smartphone app will make questions about STD-status less taboo, and even “cool.”
“If you happen to be out at a bar or a fraternity house or wherever, and you meet someone, you can then bump phones and exchange contact information and STD-status,” Dr. Michael Nusbaum, the co-developer of the app, called MedXCom, said.
The STD-status tool, known as “safe bumping,” encourages young people to go for regular STD tests, according to Nusbaum.
When people receive a negative screening, they can ask their doctors to document their clean status on the app, allowing them to share their status with whoever they want.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, 19 million new sexually transmitted infections including chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes and HIV occur each year.
There’s nothing worse than not knowing your STD-status, and keeping a partner in the dark is equally bad.
It’s great to see doctors trying to help Generation-Y be safe when it comes to sex, with certain STDs infection rates increasing in the last year.
Jordan Shepherd | Elite.
I think it’s a great idea. I already see some of my fellow students using this app on campus. I think it’s going to take off. Unlike Dr Besser’s stupid and arrogant comment, none of us think it will replace the use of condoms for protection. If Dr Besser thinks that condoms stop the spread of STDs 100% then he should lose his medical license. The use of this cool app combined with safe practices such as using a condom could really help. I’ve already got the app on my phone. I just wish that the health center at NYU participated with MedXSafe. How do I get them to join?