Prevent HIV with ABCD

Preventing HIV is as easy as ABCD.
Find out how you can protect yourself with these four simple steps.

Abstain from casual sex

Abstinence from casual sex is one of the best ways to protect yourself from HIV.

HIV is mainly transmitted by the exchanging of body fluids such as blood, pre-seminal fluids, semen and vaginal fluids. Having sex within a monogamous relationship or marriage, in which both parties have been tested and found to be negative for HIV, is the best way to prevent HIV.

So remember, there is no shame in saying ‘no’.

Be faithful

The spread of HIV in a population is directly affected by the rate of partner change, and whether relationships are concurrent or consecutive.

Having multiple sex partners increases risk of contracting HIV

Having multiple sex partners, especially concurrently, increases your risk of contracting HIV. When you have sexual relations with one person, you are also exposed to his/her previous sexual partners.

To lower your risk of contracting HIV, it’s best to limit the number of lifetime sexual partners you have or, better still, practise monogamy. A monogamous and faithful relationship can greatly reduce your risk of contracting HIV, as it means that you and your partner only have sexual relations with each other.

Even then, both you and your partner should get tested for HIV before engaging in sexual relations, as you may not know each other’s sexual histories.

Be faithful and you will find yourself staying HIV-free.

C is for consistent and correct usage of condom

Practice safe sex by using condom to prevent and protect from HIV and STI

Condom usage

If you choose not to abstain from having sex, then you should always practise safe sex. Using a condom each time you have sex can be effective in preventing and protecting yourself from HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STI).

However, condoms can only offer protection if used consistently and correctly. Not using condoms puts you at high risk of contracting HIV or other STIs, while improper use can also diminish the protective effect of condoms.

Protect yourself by using condoms consistently and correctly.

Detect HIV at anonymous HIV test sites in Singapore

Detect early

HIV has no obvious telltale signs, and the only way to find out if you have HIV is to get tested. The HIV test detects the presence of HIV antibodies, which are produced by the body in response to a HIV infection.

Most people will develop HIV antibodies within one to three months of infection. However, depending on the individual, it can take anywhere between one to six months for the body to produce enough HIV antibodies to be detected by a HIV test. If you suspect that you may have been exposed to HIV, get yourself tested at least one month after the possible exposure. You should also take extra precaution by abstaining from sex until you get tested.

Should I get tested?

It’s important to get tested at least once every six months if you or your partner has engaged in high-risk sexual behaviour, such as:

Get tested regularly if you engage in high-risk sexual behaviour.

Having sexual intercourse with sex workers, strangers or casual friends
Having multiple sex partners
Having unprotected sex with someone who is known or suspected to be infected with HIV

You should also get screened for HIV if you:

Are starting a sexual relationship with someone new
Are unsure of your partner’s sexual history
Have ever received blood or blood products from an unscreened source
Are pregnant
Have ever gone for body piercing or tattooing at unlicensed operators who do not practise good hygiene standards
Share sex toys with your partner

Where can I get tested?

You can get tested at polyclinics, private clinics and hospitals. In addition, there are ten anonymous HIV test sites in Singapore, where personal particulars are not required when signing up for a HIV test, offering you complete privacy and confidentiality.

How long does it take to get the test results?

HIV rapid test kit can provide results in 20 minutes

Rapid HIV test kits are used in anonymous HIV testing, and results can be available within 20 minutes.

What happens if I test positive for HIV?

If you test positive for HIV, you should start HIV treatment as soon as possible. Although there is no cure for HIV yet, antiretroviral therapy can help slow the progression of HIV and protect your immune system, allowing you to live an active and productive life. You can also find a local HIV support group and talk to others living with HIV.

In Singapore, persons with HIV are required by law to reveal their health status to their sex partner before sexual activities, and to medical and dental personnel before any invasive procedures.

Remember: Early detection helps control the spread of HIV and allows infected individuals to seek early treatment.

About HIV

What is HIV

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is the virus that causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). It can appear asymptomatic for many years before it develops into AIDS in the final stages.

How does HIV affect the body?

A person with HIV has a harder time fighting off infections because HIV weakens the body’s immune defences by destroying white blood cells that protect the body against bacterial and viral attacks. Once weakened or destroyed, these white blood cells cannot effectively defend the body against infections.

HIV cells destroy white blood cells – worsening common diseases, and increases the risk of certain cancers.

HIV infection can also worsen some common diseases and conditions, and even increase the risk of getting certain cancers. If untreated, infected persons usually die from various infections and cancers, between 1.5 – 3 years after developing AIDS.

What are the symptoms?

A person infected with HIV does not display any visible signs or symptoms. However, depending on the individual, someone with HIV may experience:

Tiredness
Weight loss
Prolonged fever
Night sweats

Skin rash
Persistent diarrhoea
Lowered resistance to infections

The only way to know for sure if one is infected is through an HIV test.

People who engage in high-risk sexual behaviours (e.g. having multiple sexual partners or engaging in casual sex) should get tested regularly so that HIV and other STIs can be detected and treated as early as possible. Early treatment can significantly delay the onset of AIDS and allow people living with HIV to still lead active and productive lives.

What is the treatment for HIV/AIDS?

At present, there is no cure for HIV. However, treatments such as antiretroviral therapy can help suppress HIV virus replication, thus delaying the spread of HIV in the body and the onset of AIDS.

How does HIV spread?

HIV is transmitted by:

Exchanging body fluids such as semen, pre-seminal fluids, vaginal fluids and blood during unprotected sexual intercourse with a partner infected with HIV.
Sharing injection needles and other piercing instruments (e.g. for tattooing or acupuncture) that are tainted with HIV.
From an infected mother to her baby during pregnancy, at birth, or through breastfeeding.
Receiving infected blood and blood products (e.g. organs or plasma).

HIV does not spread via casual social contact such as hugging and touching, through contact with objects such as food or toilet seats, or by insect bites.

HIV in Singapore

Since 2008, the number of new HIV cases reported in Singapore is estimated to be at about 450 every year. In 2016, there were 408 new cases of HIV reported in Singapore. This brings the total number of HIV-infected people living in Singapore in 2016 to 7,548, of which 1,888 have since passed away.

Of the 408 cases reported in 2016, 93% were male, and 72% were between 20 to 49 years old. About 95% contracted the virus through sexual intercourse and 41% already had late-stage HIV infection when they were diagnosed.

World AIDS Day

World AIDS Day is held on 1st December every year. It is an opportunity for people all over the world to unite in the fight against HIV, lend their support to the people living with HIV and to remember the people who have died because of it. You can show your support for the millions of people living with HIV by wearing a red ribbon.

Myths & Truths

It’s important to get the facts straight about HIV. After all, it could be the difference between life and death.

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Myth

There are different strains of HIV that can lead to re-infection and make treatment more difficult

If both parties are already infected with HIV, there is no need to use a condom during sexual intercourse.

Fact:
There are different strains of HIV. If a condom is not used during sexual intercourse between two parties already infected with HIV, they may inadvertently exchange different types or strains of HIV with each other. This can lead to re-infection, which will make the treatment of HIV more difficult. In addition, the new HIV strain may become more resistant to the current treatment methods, or make them less effective.

Myth

HIV can infect anyone, not just homosexual men and drug users

Homosexual men and drug users are more susceptible to contracting HIV than other people.

Fact:
In Singapore, almost all HIV infections occur through sexual intercourse. From January to October 2018, Heterosexual transmission was the mode of transmission for 45% of all cases, 43% were from homosexual transmission and 12% were from bisexual transmission.

Myth

With regular treatment, being infected with HIV is not a death sentence

Contracting HIV/AIDS is essentially a death sentence.

Fact:
Although a cure for HIV/AIDS has yet to be found, it can be treated. Persons living with HIV/AIDS can continue to live active and productive lives for many years as long as they get regular treatment.

Myth

One negative test result is not enough to guarantee being HIV-free

My partner tested negative for HIV, which means it is safe for us to have sex.

Fact:
One negative HIV test result is not enough to guarantee that the person is completely HIV-free. Thus, it would be best if the person takes the first HIV test at least one month after the initial exposure to HIV, and another HIV test at least three months after that. He or she should also avoid any sexual activities during that period. It is only after the second test result comes back negative that the person can be assured of engaging in sexual intercourse without spreading HIV.

Myth

Antiretroviral Treatment helps to suppress HIV, but does not completely remove it

An HIV-positive person who receives antiretroviral treatment will no longer spread the virus.

Fact:
Antiretroviral treatment helps to suppress HIV virus replication. It does not completely remove the infection. This means that HIV remains in the body and can still be transmitted to others.

Myth

You can live with HIV for years without showing or experiencing any symptoms

Faithful and loving partners do not spread HIV.

Fact:
Many people can live with HIV for many years without showing or experiencing any symptoms. This means that their partners may not even know if they are infected with HIV, and may unknowingly spread to each other. In addition, HIV can also be transmitted through non-sexual activities such as blood transfusions and the sharing of injection needles. Err on the side of caution – use a condom correctly and consistently during sexual intercourse, and get your partner and yourself tested for HIV.

Myth

HIV can be cured by having sex with a virgin.

Fact:
There is no cure for HIV/AIDS at the moment. However, HIV can be managed if detected early, and a person who receives regular treatment can go on to live an active and productive life.

Myth

It is possible to be infected with HIV during oral sex

HIV/AIDS cannot be transmitted during oral sex.

Fact:
Transmission of HIV occurs when there is an exchange of body fluids such as semen, vaginal fluids, breast milk, blood, or pre-ejaculatory fluids. So it is still possible to be infected with HIV during oral sex if open wounds are present. These include cuts, sores or abrasions in the mouth or gums, and on the penis or vagina. It is best to avoid oral sex if you have any open wounds, or if you have a sexually transmitted infection. In any case, it is always good practice to protect yourself by using a condom when engaging in oral sex.

Myth

HIV cannot be transmitted through saliva

HIV can be spread as long as there is contact with saliva, such as through kissing or the sharing of utensils.

Fact:
Although HIV is found in saliva, the amount is not sufficient for HIV to be transmitted.

Myth

HIV cannot be spread through physical contact except through open wounds.

HIV can be spread through non-sexual physical contact such as hugging, handshakes, sharing toilet seats, and from insect bites.

Fact:
HIV can only be transmitted through an exchange of body fluids. It cannot be spread through physical contact unless you have an open wound that comes into contact with the body fluids (e.g. semen, vaginal fluids, breast milk, blood or pre-ejaculatory fluids) of a HIV-infected person. Body fluids such as saliva, sweat and tears cannot transmit HIV. In addition, HIV cannot survive in insects, so the virus cannot be transmitted through insect or mosquito bites.

CONTRIBUTED BY

Health Promotion Board

MYHEALTH