Thu Mar 11 09:47:15 SGT 2010  
    SHIM CLINIC
168 Bedok South Avenue 3 #01-473
Singapore 460168
Tel: 6446 7446 (6446 SHIM)
Fax: 6449 7446 (6449 SHIM) 		Opening Hours
Monday to Friday:
8 am to 1 pm, 2 pm to 4 pm, 7 pm to 11 pm
Saturday, Sunday & Public Holidays:
7 pm to 11 pm
Walk-in clinic. Appointments not required.

HIV Screening Singapore Clinic
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Summary

HIV Screening Singapore Clinic: HIV symptoms/signs in men/women. Rapid HIV screening test/check. HIV transmission/infection PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis/prevention) treatment. HIV 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.

HIV screening is done with the HIV test. Not anonymous. Three choices available are:

  • Traditional venous blood sampling and sending to the laboratory.
    • Results return in 1-2 days.
  • Rapid HIV test - Instant results.
  • HIV-1 DNA PCR SG$717/=
    • Able to detect HIV infection as early as 2 weeks after exposure
    • Less suitable for diagnostic purposes (10% false positive rate)
    • Patient to arrive at clinic before 10am.
    • Results return in 2-3 weeks.
The HIV window period is the time between the original HIV infection to the appearance of detectable HIV antibodies to the HIV antigens. This period is usually 1 to 3 months. These HIV antibodies turn the HIV test positive.

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 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.

Rapid HIV test - Instant results.

HIV PCR test - Two types are available:
  • HIV-1 DNA PCR - used to diagnose HIV infection
  • HIV viral load (HIV RNA PCR) - used to assess disease progression after HIV infection
HIV follow up - Blood testing only. No consultation services provided. Not anonymous. 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:

Remember, there is no HIV cure.

Kaposi's sarcoma

Sexual Health Risk 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

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