Fri Jul 30 16:37:55 SGT 2010  
    SHIM CLINIC
168 Bedok South Avenue 3 #01-473
Singapore 460168
Tel: (+65) 6446 7446
Fax: (+65) 6449 7446
24hr Answering Tel: (+65) 6333 5550 		Opening Hours
Monday to Friday: 9 am to 3 pm, 7 pm to 11 pm
Saturday & Sunday: 7 pm to 11 pm
Public Holidays: Closed
Walk-in clinic. Appointments not required.
Bring NRIC, Visit Pass or Passport for registration.

HIV PCR Test Singapore Clinic
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Summary

HIV PCR Test Singapore Clinic: HIV symptoms/signs in men/women. Rapid HIV screening testing/check. HIV transmission/infection PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis/prevention) treatment. HIV PCR, viral load & CD4 count test clinic, Singapore - Private and confidential service. Definitions, references, and latest news.

Description

If you have been exposed to HIV in the last 72 hours, early HIV PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis/prevention) treatment can stop you from getting HIV.

Table of Contents

HIV PCR test - Two types are available:
  • HIV-1 DNA PCR Test
    • May be used to diagnose HIV infection
    • 10% false positive rate
    • Patient to arrive at clinic before 10am (Monday - Friday)
    • Cost SG$752/=
    • Results return in 2-3 weeks.
  • HIV RNA PCR Test to measure the HIV viral load
    • After HIV infection, this is used to assess disease progression during HIV follow up
    • Patient to arrive at clinic before 10am (Monday - Friday)
    • Cost SG$717/=
    • Results return in 2-3 weeks.
HIV is the abbreviation for the human immunodeficiency virus, which causes the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

HIV symptoms which may present in acute HIV infection:

These are nonspecific symptoms and can present with other infections; consequently, they are unreliable indicators of HIV infection.

HIV Test - The HIV window period is the time from HIV infection until a HIV Test can detect any change. Within the HIV window period, the HIV test would be negative. During this period, the HIV viral load is extremely high, thus making the person highly infectious.

  • HIV Antibody Test - For HIV Screening. 97% have a window period of 3 months. Average window period is 22 days for subtype B (ranges from 2 weeks to 6 months). Not anonymous.
    • Venous blood sampling sent to the laboratory - Results in 1-2 days.
    • Rapid HIV Test
  • Antigen testing - Average window period is 16 days. (not available)
  • HIV NAT (Nucleic Acid based Test) (HIV PCR Test) - Average window period is 12 days.
    • HIV-1 DNA PCR Test
    • HIV RNA PCR Test (HIV Viral Load)
  • Other tests
Rapid HIV Test - LIST OF RAPID HIV TEST KITS REGISTERED WITH THE HEALTH SCIENCES AUTHORITY (HSA) FOR USE IN MEDICAL CLINIC SETTINGS
  • Orasure OraQuick® Rapid HIV-1/2 Antibody Test
  • Inverness Medical Determine® HIV-1/2 Antibody Test (phased out)
OraQuick OraQuick®
  • Orasure OraQuick® Rapid HIV-1/2 Antibody Test
  • SG$60/= (no additional consultation fees)
  • Oral fluid or finger prick blood sampling.
  • Results visible in 20 minutes.
  • OraQuick® is approved for statutory testing in Singapore - it can be used for students' passes, work permits and employment passes
CD4 count
  • Used in HIV follow up management
  • Cost SG$169/=
  • Results return in 1 week.
  • CD8 count is also available separately at the same price.
HIV PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis/prevention) can prevent you from getting an HIV infection, and turning HIV positive.

HIV Risk Statistics (chances of getting HIV)
HIV Risk Factors HIV Transmission Probability
Receptive anal intercourse 1/100
Receptive vaginal intercourse 1/1000
Insertive vaginal intercourse 1/2000
Insertive anal intercourse 1/2500
Receptive fellatio with ejaculation 1/2500
Sharing needles 1/150
Needle stick injury 1/300
As in a game of russian roulette, an infection could occur at the first exposure.

Individuals are eligible for HIV PEP Treatment if all the following criteria are met:

  • exposure occurred within the past 72 hours;
  • mucous membrane or non-intact skin was significantly exposed to a potentially infectious body fluid;
    • unprotected anal or vaginal intercourse
    • unprotected receptive fellatio (oral sex performed on the penis) with ejaculation
  • the potentially exposed individual is not infected or not known to be infected with HIV;
  • the source is HIV+ve or the HIV status is unknown.
Prompt antiviral therapy may reduce the risk of HIV transmission by as much as 80%.

For optimal efficacy, antiretroviral therapy should be started as soon as possible, ideally within 1 hour of exposure. So that you can remain HIV negative.

Drugs commonly used in HIV PEP:

Kaposi's sarcoma Remember, there is no HIV cure.

Sexual Health Risks in emergency situations

If you have been exposed to HIV in the last 72 hours, early HIV PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis/prevention) treatment can stop you from getting HIV.

References

Latest News

HIV vaccines may induce HIV antibodies in trial participants, can cause false-positive test result
Thu, 22 Jul 2010 07:29:01 +0100 | ScienceDaily Headlines
During trials of preventive HIV vaccines, trial participants may develop HIV-related antibody responses that could lead to a positive HIV test by routine antibody detection methods (called vaccine-induced seropositivity/reactivity [VISP]), and the potential for false-positive test results and an incorrect HIV diagnosis, according to a new study. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)

Antibodies Induced by HIV Vaccines May Give False-Positive HIV Test Results
Tue, 20 Jul 2010 14:40:35 +0100 | Medscape Today Headlines
Vaccines in development against HIV might induce antibodies that cause false-positive results on HIV testing. Trial subjects need to inform their healthcare providers that they have been in a trial. Medscape Medical News (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

HIV vaccines cause 50 percent false positive rate in HIV tests
Tue, 20 Jul 2010 07:00:00 +0100 | NaturalNews.com
(NaturalNews) It may come as a big surprise to most people, but HIV tests given to people today don't actually test for the presence of the HIV virus. Rather, they test for the presence of HIV antibodies that the immune system creates to defend itself against HIV. And just because you have HIV antibodies doesn't mean you actually carry HIV. In some circumstances, up to 50 percent of HIV positives are false, causing havoc with the lives of those patients who are falsely accused of being "HIV positive."This startling fact was revealed in a recent study that's being published in the July 21 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. It shows that patients who are recruited for HIV vaccine trials often end up testing positive for HIV even though they were only exposed to the vac...

England fans urged to have HIV test
Mon, 19 Jul 2010 10:31:00 +0100 | Nursing Times Breaking News
Football fans who had unprotected sex while in South Africa during the recent World Cup should get tested for HIV, a city hospital consultant has said. (Source: Nursing Times Breaking News)

Quick And Cheap Microfluidic HIV Test
Mon, 19 Jul 2010 08:00:00 +0100 | Health News from Medical News Today
UC Davis biomedical engineer Prof. Alexander Revzin has developed a "lab on a chip" device for HIV testing. Revzin's microfluidic device uses antibodies to "capture" white blood cells called T cells that are affected by HIV. In addition to physically binding these cells the test detects the types and levels of inflammatory proteins (cytokines) released by the cells. Revzin's team collaborated with UCLA electrical engineer Prof... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Many False-Positive HIV Test Results for Those in ---- Vaccine Trials
Mon, 19 Jul 2010 07:00:00 +0100 | MedicineNet Cancer General
Title: Many False-Positive HIV Test Results for Those in ---- Vaccine TrialsCategory: Health NewsCreated: 7/18/2010 8:10:00 AMLast Editorial Review: 7/19/2010 (Source: MedicineNet Cancer General)

Many False-Positive HIV Test Results for Those in ---- Vaccine Trials
Mon, 19 Jul 2010 07:00:00 +0100 | MedicineNet HIV General
Title: Many False-Positive HIV Test Results for Those in ---- Vaccine TrialsCategory: Health NewsCreated: 7/18/2010 8:10:00 AMLast Editorial Review: 7/19/2010 (Source: MedicineNet HIV General)

Many False-Positive HIV Test Results for Those in ---- Vaccine Trials
Sun, 18 Jul 2010 14:00:00 +0100 | The Doctors Lounge - Infections
Almost half get the erroneous result, causing stigma and hampering trial enrollment, experts say (Source: The Doctors Lounge - Infections)

Many False-Positive HIV Test Results for Those in ---- Vaccine Trials
Sun, 18 Jul 2010 13:00:00 +0100 | MedlinePlus Health News
Almost half get the erroneous result, causing stigma and hampering trial enrollment, experts say Source: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Pages: ----, Immunization, Laboratory Tests (Source: MedlinePlus Health News)