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What is human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)?
HIV is a virus that weakens your body’s immune system by destroying CD4 (T-cell) lymphocytes. This makes it harder for the body to fight infections, and increases the severity of common conditions and diseases, including cancer.
HIV is spread through bodily fluids like breast milk, blood, semen, or vaginal discharge from a person living with HIV.
If untreated, HIV can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
What is acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)?
AIDS is an advanced stage of HIV infection, causing your immune system to be severely weakened. You receive an AIDS diagnosis when:
Your CD4 cell count falls below 200 cells/mm3; or
You develop one or more opportunistic infections regardless of your CD4 cell count.
For reference, a healthy CD4 cell count is above 500 cells/mm3.
How is HIV transmitted?
HIV is most commonly transmitted through the act of unprotected sex with a person with HIV, but it can also be transmitted by:
Sharing injection needles or piercing instruments (e.g. tattoo guns or acupuncture needles) with a person with HIV.
Receiving infected blood or blood products (e.g. blood transfusion, organ transplant).
An HIV-infected mother during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding.
HIV does not spread via:
Shaking hands, hugging, or touching
Saliva, tears, or sweat
Kissing
Coughing or sneezing
Sharing food and drinks
Toilet seats
Touching of common surfaces
Mosquitoes, ticks, or other insects
Air or water
Drinking fountains
What are the symptoms of HIV?
Symptoms of HIV vary from person to person and may differ depending on the stage of infection. Early symptoms may include:
Tiredness
Weight loss
Prolonged fever
Skin rash
Night sweats
Persistent diarrhoea
Lowered resistance to infections
You cannot tell if someone has HIV just by their symptoms. The only way to know for sure is to take an HIV test.
HIV can take up to 10 years to progress to AIDS without medical intervention.
What are the risk factors?
Risk factors include:
Unprotected sex
Use of non-sterile needles or instruments such as people with a history of injection drug use, body piercing, or tattoos
How to test for HIV?
Getting tested for HIV is the only way to know your status. Delaying detection and diagnosis could lead to poorer prognosis and treatment outcomes, increasing the risk of transmission.
The Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) recommends people aged 21 years old and above or those who are sexually active should undergo HIV testing at least once in their lifetime. For individuals who engage in at risk behaviours, such as having multiple sexual partners or casual sex, it is encouraged to go for HIV testing more frequently, or every 3 to 6 months.
You can get yourself tested for STIs or HIV/AIDS at most GP (General Practitioner) clinics, polyclinics, Department of Sexually Transmitted Infections Control (DSC) clinic, and hospitals in Singapore. Some sites provide anonymous or rapid testing services, where the latter can provide results in 20 minutes. Find out where to test for HIV here.
You can also use HIV self-test kits. They can be purchased at selected retail pharmacies nationwide and Action for AIDS (AfA)*. Learn about HIV self-testing here.
*Designated supply sites for HIV self-testing kits are limited to licensed retail pharmacies nationwide (in-store and online) and at the AfA.
Understanding HIV test results
You tested negative for HIV. What’s next?
A negative result means there were no signs of a HIV infection in your sample. However, you might still be infected because HIV takes about one to six weeks to incubate. The time between potential exposure and testing is called the window period.
Different HIV tests have different window periods. Ask your healthcare provider about the window period for the HIV test you are taking. For HIV self-test kits, you can find the information in the package.
If you have a negative HIV test result and the last possible HIV exposure was:
Less than 72 hours ago | You may need post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). |
Less than 90 days ago | You will need to repeat the HIV test. |
If you get a negative test result again after the window period, and have no possible HIV exposure during that time, then you do not have HIV.
You tested HIV positive, What’s next?
All positive test results require a follow-up test for confirmation.
If you test positive:
On a HIV self-test kit | Repeat the testing at a healthcare facility; includes anonymous testing sites. |
At a healthcare facility | Repeat testing will be done automatically. |
If you get a positive test result again, it means you have HIV.
What to do when diagnosed with HIV?
There is currently no effective cure for HIV, but it can be controlled with proper care. This can be done through antiretroviral therapy (ART). With effective treatment, the HIV virus can be suppressed to undetectable levels, allowing people living with HIV to lead a long, healthy lives and protect their partners.
HIV treatment is available in most public hospitals and private healthcare institutions in Singapore.
Most HIV medications are subsidised, making them accessible and affordable.
Do I need to tell my sexual partner that I have HIV?
Under the Infectious Diseases Act, you must inform your sexual partner of the risks of getting HIV from you before having sex, unless you have maintained a stable undetectable HIV viral load (see below criteria). This is to allow your partner to make a choice to take appropriate precautions.
You are considered to have maintained a stable undetectable HIV viral load if you satisfy the following criteria:
Stable, consecutive undetectable HIV viral load test results (below 200 copies per millilitre of blood), for at least 6 months;
Most recent HIV viral load test shows a result of undetectable (below 200 copies per millilitre of blood), and is dated 9 months or less before you have sex;
All the HIV viral load test results mentioned above are from a licenced laboratory in Singapore; and
Adhered to medical treatment for HIV infection up to the time of when you have sex.
If the above criteria are satisfied, you do not pose a risk of transmitting of HIV to your sexual partner. Therefore, you do not need to inform your sexual partner of the risks of getting HIV from you.
How do I show that I have adhered to medical treatment for HIV infection?
You should go for regular follow-up visits for HIV with your doctor, including regular HIV viral load testing, and prescription refills. Documented medical records serve as evidence that you have adhered to medical treatment.
If you are alleged to have committed an offence, the strongest evidence that you have adhered to medical treatment is an undetectable HIV viral load test result (from a licenced laboratory in Singapore) at the next medical visit for HIV after the sexual activity in question (which should not be more than 9 months after the sexual activity in question). This is because maintenance of undetectable HIV viral load is not possible unless you have adhered to treatment.
How to prevent HIV?
You can protect yourself from HIV by:
Practising the ABCD approach to prevent HIV (Abstinence from casual sex, Be faithful, Correct and consistent condom usage, and early Detection).
Visiting a reliable service provider who uses clean, sterile needles for any tattoos, piercings or injections.
What is pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)treatment?
In Singapore, Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) are supplementary HIV preventive options. Those who wish to use PrEP/PEP can visit their doctor to be assessed for their suitability to be prescribed the drugs.
What is Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) treatment?
PrEP involves the use of HIV medication for people who do not have HIV but are at risk of HIV infection. When taken as prescribed, PrEP can protect against HIV, but condom use is still important to prevent other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
What is post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) treatment?
PEP is a short course of HIV medication to prevent its transmission. It must be used within 72 hours of possible high-risk exposure and should only be used during emergencies. High-risk exposure to HIV includes:
Any unprotected sex with someone who is HIV positive
Sharing or exposure to contaminated needles or blades, particularly needle-stick injuries
Victims of sexual assault
Should you require PEP during emergencies, please visit the Emergency Department of any public hospital and request for it.
How to treat HIV?
Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) is recommended for all individuals living with HIV. Although ART cannot cure HIV, it can control the virus and help them live longer, healthier lives. ART can also reduce the risk of HIV transmission, but it does not prevent transmission of other STIs.
People living with HIV who take the medicine as prescribed can suppress their HIV viral load to an undetectable level (less than 50 copies/ml), reducing the risk of HIV transmission to others (i.e. Undetectable = Untransmittable, U=U).
Educational materials
National HIV recommendations and guidelines
Developed by the National HIV Programme (NHIVP), the following recommendations and guidelines are used to promote HIV prevention, treatment, and care:
HIV Testing Recommendations
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Guidance
Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) Recommendations
Primary Care Recommendations
Find the guidelines here.
To read more about HIV, click here.
HIV Doesn’t Differentiate (2022 to 2024)
Content Pieces
How to check for HIV with Self-Test Kits, TikTok@drsamuelgp, 2025
Get tested for HIV: Your Health Matters, TikTok@drsamuelgp, 2025
和他“做爱”做的事, King Kong Media Production, 2025
We found the BEST Ban Mian in Geylang? | #DailyKetchup EP403, The Daily Ketchup, 2025
Why you need to do a HIV test right now, R u okay, NCID, 2023
The Brightside with Carol, Lavinia & Shehzad, ONE FM, DSC Clinic, 2023
健康粉 tastic with Violet Fenying: Dr Lee Pei Hua (NCID), Dr Edwin Sng (CGH), Love 97.2, 2023
Lunch belt with Aura Shai: Dr Terrence Chiew (NSC), Dr Dhiya Metussin (NCID), Warna, 2023
Vanakkam Singai with Haleema & Rafi, SGH: Session 1, Session 2, Oli 968, 2023
HIV (What Do We Know?) – Just Saying, The Backstage Bunch, DSC Clinic, 2023
With Early and Effective Treatment, People Living with HIV Can Lead Lives No Different from Others (2021)
Content Pieces
Living with HIV Half-truths, Mothership, NCID, 2021
Is Silence Really Golden When it Comes to Disclosing HIV Status at Work?, Rice Media Editorial piece, SNEF, 2022
Why is HIV Still Taboo in Singapore?, MOSG TDK #61, NCID, 2022
The REAL HIV Issue in Singapore - Despite decades of research and development, medical advancements, and public education, why do people living with HIV in Singapore continue to face stigma and discrimination?, MOSG Micro-documentary, NUH, 2022
It’s Time to Spread the Facts (2019)
Articles in media and publications
New HIV Infections Among Singapore Residents Fall to Lowest Level Since 1998, CNA, 2023
HIV can be Treated, Berita Harian, 2023
About the National HIV Programme
Get more information on the programme here.