The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is an infection that has affected millions around the globe. It is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that is incurable and can deteriorate to the life-threatening Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). With modern medicine, HIV patients do not have to worry about imminent death; they can have lives and jobs like any other person. However, as of the time of writing, there is still no cure for HIV.

The hospitals and various STD clinics in Singapore are the main places for HIV positive patients to get access to anti-retroviral therapy medicines that can suppress the virus. They are also places where anyone can step in to get tested for HIV for a fee. Private HIV testing clinics in Singapore are also able to provide confidential HIV testing services, so the results will not be on any public health record.

With the recent leak of personal information of HIV-positive people in Singapore, HIV has come into the public eye again. Many may not understand what HIV is and how it affects Singaporean patients and society as a whole. In this article, we will use some common questions to explain the HIV situation in Singapore.

How does one contract HIV?

HIV is mostly transmitted when an infected person has unprotected sex with their partner. It does not matter the sex of the partner. As long as there is unprotected vaginal or anal sex, there is a high risk of HIV transmission It is also possible for HIV to be transferred through the sharing of needles. HIV cannot be transmitted through other forms of bodily contact, or by sharing toilet seats or utensils.

How many people in Singapore are HIV-positive?

According to an MOE update in June 2018, there are currently about 6,022 patients living with HIV in Singapore. However, there are other names in the leaked HIV registry, which totals up to 14,200 individuals. These names include those who have passed on due to the disease and foreigners who have entered Singapore with HIV. 1,960 individuals infected with HIV died in the first half of 2018.

What implications are there for those who are HIV-positive?

All doctors recommend HIV-positive patients to undergo anti-retroviral therapy in order to delay the virus’ effect on the body’s immune system. As such, these patients must pay for and take these medications for life.

There are also some legal repercussions. By law, patients are required to disclose their status to any person that they have sex with or face legal consequences. A man has once been jailed under this charge. Foreigners diagnosed with HIV will not be allowed to live and work in Singapore long-term, but are now allowed short-stay visit passes.

What can you do?

If you suspect that you may have contracted HIV, it is recommended that you get tested immediately at an HIV testing clinic. Your risk of HIV is high if you have sex regularly, especially unprotected penetrative sex.

If you do not have HIV, it is still important to understand the methods that you can use to protect yourself from being infected with HIV. This usually means wearing condoms during sex or abstaining from sex altogether. Learning about HIV will also help you and the people around you better understand and empathise with patients who are living with the virus.