​​​AIDS is the final stage of the disease caused by untreated HIV.

• Unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected person.
• Sharing infected syringes and needles (e.g. between injecting drug users).
• Mother-to-child transmission during pregnancy, at birth or through breast feeding.
• Transfusion with contaminated blood and blood products (all blood donation equipment used in Singapore is sterile and not re-used).

​​​HIV cannot be spread through casual contact (eg. hugging, holding hands, sharing utensils and food).

​​​​Most people with HIV do not show any signs or symptoms.

​​​​There are different stages of the infection:

(A) Primary HIV Infection

Occurs soon after acquiring HIV; flu-like illness with swollen lymph nodes, fever, discomfort and rash lasting about 2 – 3 weeks.

(B) Asymptomatic Stage

No signs or symptoms and can last for many years.

(C) Persistent Generalised Lymphadenopathy

Unexplained lymph node enlargement in the neck, underarms and groin for more than 3 months.

(D) AIDS & Related Conditions​

This is the advanced stage of the disease. It takes an average of 8 to 10 years from the time of exposure for an untreated person to show the first signs of AIDS. Symptoms like fever, unexplained weight loss and diarrhoea are common. Rare cancers and infections may develop, and common infections may be severe.

All people infected with HIV are able to spread the infection to others through unsafe high risk activities.​

​​Get tested if you have ever had unprotected sex. You should consider getting tested every 6 to 12 monthly if you engage in any of the following high-risk activities:

• Unprotected vaginal or anal sex with multiple partners, casual partners, sex workers or known HIV-infected people.
• ​Sharing of needles when injecting drugs.

Get tested for HIV if you have been diagnosed with another STI, especially syphilis.

HIV testing at the DSC Clinic is private and confidential. It is not anonymous. If you require an anonymous test, contact the registered anonymous testing clinics. The list of registered anonymous testing clinic can be found on the Health Promotion Board website [http://www.hpb.gov.sg/HOPPortal/health-article/6368]

The DSC Clinic routinely screens HIV for all patients attending the clinic. If you wish to opt out from the test, please let us know.

The window period for HIV is the period between the point of infection and the time a HIV blood test detects the infection. This is between 1 to 3 months.

If the blood test is done during the window period, the result is not as reliable. Re-testing is advised at 3 months if your initial test was negative.

At DSC Clinic there are 2 ways to get tested:

• A blood sample taken from the arm (known as HIV Antibody Blood Test). Results usually take 3 to 5 working days.
• A drop of blood taken from your finger or an oral swab sample (known as a HIV Rapid Test). Results usually take an hour.

​​​Yes, HIV can be treated but currently, there is no cure. Anti-HIV medications are available to keep the infection under control so a person stays healthy. Treatment also reduces the risk of the infection being passed on to someone else.

​​HIV infection weakens the body’s immune system so it is easier for an HIV-infected person to get infections or cancers that rarely occur in healthy people.​

​​​HIV infection of an infant born to an HIV infected mother can be almost completely prevented if the pregnant woman is taking medication during the pregnancy. Consult your doctor for appropriate measures to avoid passing the infection to your baby.​

​​Notification Requirements

• HIV positive individuals are required by law to disclose their HIV status to their partners before engaging in sexual intercourse (it is against the law to knowingly infect another person).
• HIV positive individuals are recommended to disclose their HIV status to medical and dental personnel performing invasive procedures on them.
• HIV positive individuals are encouraged to get their sexual partners and others who might be exposed (such as children of HIV positive mothers) to get tested.

*Notification of positive HIV results to Ministry of Manpower is for statistical purposes. This process is confidential.

HIV positive individuals will be referred to the Communicable Disease Centre (CDC) at Tan Tock Seng Hospital, which is the national referral centre for HIV / AIDS for further management. You may also have your condition managed at another hospital-based HIV clinic of your choosing.