You are likely to have heard of HIV before. Or perhaps you are sexually active and wonder if you are HIV-positive. Although there is no cure for HIV, people are reluctant to get tested mainly due to the social stigma surrounding people with not only HIV but other STDs as well.
HIV is a virus that negatively affects the immune system, thus increasing your risk of other diseases and infections. However, without diagnosing and treatments, the infection will progress to an advanced disease stage of HIV called AIDS.
If you want to get tested for HIV but want to keep it under wraps, I have good news for you -- anonymous HIV testing is available.
1. Anonymous HIV tests are literally incognito
To start off, anonymous HIV testing is basically a test for anyone who prefers to be unidentified by healthcare personnel. In other words, this HIV test does not need you to give your name, NRIC numbers or any other contact information. Similarly, your personal information is not recorded. Instead, you are given a test which is numbered and that only you must know and provide in order to receive your test results.
2. Anonymous HIV tests help to prevent HIV from spreading
Many sexually active people are reluctant to take STD tests for fear of the social stigma associated with STDs like HIV.
This test encourages people who consider themselves to be at risk of HIV to go for early HIV testing to ascertain if they have been infected. Anonymous HIV testing is not only private and confidential but also no personal information is required. Therefore, no one will know if you had one except yourself.
Above all, early HIV test helps to control the spread of HIV. Hence, you can seek treatment earlier, make necessary lifestyle changes and protect your partners from getting infected in future.
3. Anonymous HIV tests are fast. Really fast.
Similarly, Rapid HIV test kits [1] are used in anonymous HIV testing. Not to mention, your results will be available within 20 minutes.
Here are the steps to getting an anonymous HIV test:
- Approach and register with the clinic’s counter staff for AHT a.k.a. anonymous HIV testing.
- You will then be asked to fill an anonymous questionnaire without requiring your personal information.
- You will be registered with an anonymous registration number e.g. AHT-XXXXX. But, do take note that you still have to wait in line till it's your turn!
- The doctor will speak with you before and after your HIV test. Also, you will be provided with information on the “window period” for HIV infection.
- When you are done, you have 2 testing options to choose from -- either by collecting oral fluid or blood from a finger prick. These options use rapid HIV test kits which are registered with the Health Science Authority.
- As mentioned, the results for your rapid HIV test will take a short while. By then, you will be asked to return back to your doctor to get your test result.
4. Anonymous HIV Test Result Slip
At last, your doctor will give you your result slip. It will show you the type of rapid HIV test performed and the result of “Non-Reactive”, which may be given to you if requested.
If your result is reactive, you will be asked to provide a venous blood sample for further confirmation by a laboratory, using the Western Blot test. In addition, the confirmatory test is free of charge. However, the test may take up to two weeks. In other words, you will be consulted with proper medical advice. Then, you will be referred to the Communicable Disease Centre, whereby local or foreign specialists will help you.
5. Places you can go to for anonymous HIV testing
The HIV rapid screening test is available at many clinics and hospitals in Singapore. Here are some [2] that offer anonymous HIV testing:
Address
Opening Hours
Telephone
Cost
DSC Clinic (Action For Aids Anonymous Test Site)
31 Kelantan Lane #01-16 S(200031)
Tues and Wed: 6.30pm- 8.15pm
Sat: 1.30pm-3.15pm
PH and eve of PH: Closed
6295 2944
Females: $100-120
Males: $80-100
Anteh Dispensary
368 Geylang Road S(389381)1 Lorong 22 Geylang, #01-02 Grandview Suites, S(398664)
Mon to Fri: 9am-12pm, 2pm-5pm, 7pm-11pm
Sat: 9am to 12pm, 7pm to 11pm
Sun and PH: 7pm to 11pm
6744 1809
$50
Tanjong Pagar Medical Clinic
Blk 1 Tanjong Pagar Plaza, #01-06 S(082001)
Mon, Wed and Fri: 9am-6pm
Tues and Thurs: 9am to 9pm
Sat and Sun: 9am to 2pm
PH: Closed
6443 3101
$30-80
Dr Jay Medical Centre
115 Killiney Road S(239553)
Mon – Fri: 9.30am-3.30pm, 6.30pm-8pm
Sat: 9.30am-11.30am, 6.30pm-8pm
Sun: 6.30pm-8pm
PH: Closed
6235 5196
Dr Soh Family Clinic
Blk 966 Jurong West Street 93 #01-221 S(640966)
Mon and Tue: 8.30am-1pm, 2pm-4.30pm, 7pm – 9pm
Wed and Fri: 8.30am-1pm, 2pm-4.30pm
Thurs: 8.30am-1pm, 7pm-9pm
Sun: 9am-1pm
Sat and PH: Closed
6791 7735
$100
Dr Tan & Partners
11 Unity Street, Robertson Walk, #02-07 S(237995)
Mon – Fri: 8am-9pm
Sat and Sun: 9am-2pm
PH: Closed
6238 7810
$50.09 - 150.09
M Lam Clinic
739 Geylang Road S(389649)
Mon – Fri: 9am-12.30pm, 2pm-5.30pm
Sat: 9am-12.30pm
Sun and PH: Closed
6748 1949
$30-70
Doctors Clinic & Surgery
305 Woodlands St 31, #01-91, S(730305)
Mon – Fri: 8.30am-12pm. 2pm-4.30pm, 6.30pm-8.30pm
Sat and Sun: 8.30am-12pm
PH: Open on selected PH, 8.30am-12pm
6269 1017
Kensington Family Clinic
14D Kensington Park Road, Serangoon Garden Estate, S(557265)
Mon – Sun: 8am-3pm, 6pm-10pm
PH: Open on selected PH, 8am-3pm, 6pm-10pm
6288 4882
$30-80
Q&M Medical & Aesthetic Clinic (Tampines Central) Pte. Ltd.
10 Tampines Central 1, #04-18/19. Tampines One, S(529536)
Mon – Fri: 9am-1pm, 2pm-9pm
Sat and Sun: 9am to 1pm
PH: Closed
6781 3323
$50-150
In conclusion
While the cure for HIV is still unknown, there are advanced medical treatments which can help to suppress the virus effectively. As mentioned before, the benefits of doing early treatments will allow you to delay the risks, symptoms and further complications.
Unlike the HIV test, the results for the rapid HIV test is faster. Hence, this makes you and your partner feel less worried. Above all, you can even get the result on the day itself too!
If your test is positive, do make sure to have safe sex with your partner by using condoms in order to not pass the virus around. For cases in Singapore, it is an offence under the Infectious Disease Act for an HIV- infected person to engage in sexual activities that could pass on the virus to another person.
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Dr Colin Theng, with over 20 years of experience, is regularly invited to speak at various conferences such as the World Congress of Dermatology and the Asian Dermatology Congress. He was especially interested in areas such as eczema and psoriasis and has served numerous advisory boards. Dr Theng has had extensive experience in both medical dermatology and laser surgery and upon years of practising, he has garner comprehensive experience in handling both Asian and Caucasian skin types. Dr Theng is also featured in our list of dermatologists to go to for skin treatment.
Read more of Dr Colin Theng's QnA here.
