Tue Sep 7 20:45:21 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 test a routine part of NYC healthcare
Thu, 02 Sep 2010 01:12:20 +0100 | Health News - UPI.com
NEW YORK, Sept. 1 (UPI) -- New York residents should expect to be routinely offered a voluntary HIV test when receiving healthcare, health officials say. New York - New York City - United States - United Press International - Metro Areas (Source: Health News - UPI.com)

Services used by perinatal substance-users with child welfare involvement: a descriptive study
Mon, 30 Aug 2010 23:00:00 +0100 | Harm Reduction Journal
Conclusions: Findings from this study suggest services that address basic family needs were related to positive child welfare outcomes. The provision of basic services, such as health care and financial assistance through entitlement benefits and tangible donations, may help to establish a foundation so mothers can concentrate on recovery and parenting skills. Identification of services for perinatal substance users that are associated with more successful child welfare outcomes has implications for the child welfare system, treatment providers, courts and families. (Source: Harm Reduction Journal)

Uganda: Unfriendly Nurses and Culture Hinder Male Involvement in HIV Prevention
Fri, 27 Aug 2010 12:11:59 +0100 | AllAfrica News: HIV----- and STDs
Irene Wangolo was advised to undergo an HIV test during her antenatal visit and to return to the clinic with her husband so they could be counselled on preventing HIV transmission to their unborn baby. (Source: AllAfrica News: HIV----- and STDs)

Congo-Brazzaville: Mobile HIV Test Unit a Hit
Fri, 27 Aug 2010 09:55:05 +0100 | AllAfrica News: HIV----- and STDs
"I came here out of curiosity, but I ended up taking an ---- test. I have the results," Gerard, 30 years old, told IPS. He adds, right before leaving: "The results are negative." (Source: AllAfrica News: HIV----- and STDs)

UGANDA: Unfriendly Nurses and Culture Hinder Male Involvement in HIV Prevention
Thu, 26 Aug 2010 10:33:00 +0100 | IPS Inter Press Service - HIV/----
Irene Wangolo was advised to undergo an HIV test during her antenatal visit and to return to the clinic with her husband so they could be counselled on preventing HIV transmission to their unborn baby. But her husband refused to accompany her saying it was not his business and Wangolo never returned to the clinic in Bungokho in eastern Uganda. So she missed all the services, including the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT). (Source: IPS Inter Press Service - HIV/----)

Mobile HIV Test Unit a Hit in Congo
Thu, 26 Aug 2010 07:08:00 +0100 | IPS Inter Press Service - HIV/----
"I came here out of curiosity, but I ended up taking an ---- test. I have the results," Gerard, 30 years old, told IPS. He adds, right before leaving: "The results are negative." (Source: IPS Inter Press Service - HIV/----)

Risk Behavior Disclosure During HIV Test Counseling
Thu, 19 Aug 2010 03:42:03 +0100 | ---- Patient Care and STDs
---- Patient Care and STDs , Vol. 0, No. 0. (Source: ---- Patient Care and STDs)

HIV testing in pregnancy: are we testing enough?
Wed, 18 Aug 2010 06:45:37 +0100 | Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics
Conclusions  Although awareness of the importance of HIV screening in newborns has increased in recent years, the numbers are still unsatisfactory. Therefore, further education is necessary to prevent HIV infection in early pregnancy and avoid HIV mother-to-child transmission. Content Type Journal ArticleDOI 10.1007/s00404-010-1639-2Authors Bernd Peter Kost, Division of Infectious Diseases in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Campus Innenstadt, Maistrasse 11, 80337 Munich, GermanyAndrea Gingelmaier, Division of Infectious Diseases in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Campus Innenstadt, Maistrasse 11, 80337 Munich, GermanyF...

Evaluation of four rapid tests for diagnosis and differentiation of HIV-1 and HIV-2 infections in Guinea-Conakry, West Africa
Fri, 13 Aug 2010 09:28:55 +0100 | Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Abstract: With both HIV-1 and HV-2 prevalent in Guinea-Conakry, accurate diagnosis and differentiation is crucial for treatment purposes. Thus, four rapid HIV tests were evaluated for their HIV-1 and HIV-2 diagnostic and discriminative capacity for use in Guinea-Conakry. These included SD Bioline HIV 1/2 3.0 (Standard Diagnostics Inc.), Genie II HIV1/HIV2 (Bio-Rad), First Response HIV Card Test 1-2.0 (PMC Medical) and Immunoflow HIV1-HIV2 (Core Diagnostics). Results were compared with gold standard tests (INNO-LIA HIV-I/II Score) and NEW LAV BLOT II (Bio-Rad). Four hundred and forty three sequential stored HIV-positive serum samples, of known HIV-type, were evaluated. Genie II HIV1/HIV2, Immunoflow HIV1-HIV2 and SD Bioline HIV 1/2 3.0 had 100% sensitivity (95% CI, 98.9-100%) while for Firs...