HIV Singapore | HIV PEP
HIV in Singapore: HIV in Singapore: HIV is a viral infection that weakens the immune system and makes you unable to combat other infections. HIV is commonly caused by unprotected sex.
Keywords: HIV in Singapore, Singapore HIV, HIV
Definition
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks the immune system. This progressively weakens the immune system’s ability to combat infections and other diseases, including certain types of cancers. The patient becomes vulnerable, and eventually dies from these diseases. HIV is passed from one person to another via unprotected sexual contact, transfusion of unscreened blood, sharing of infected needles and syringes, or to a child from the mother during pregnancy, birth, or breastfeeding.
HIV can be easily diagnosed with simple blood tests. With proper treatment (anti-retroviral drugs), an HIV-infected individual can live for many years. Anti-retroviral drugs can delay the progression of HIV, and have prevented millions of HIV-related deaths, particularly in under-developed and developing countries of Asia and Africa.
Untreated HIV infection often progresses to AIDS (acquired immuno-deficiency syndrome). If diagnosed and treated in the early stages, HIV infection may not progress to AIDS. As of now, there is no cure for AIDS, which is a fatal disease.
The initial symptoms of HIV are mild, and include flu-like symptoms and swollen glands in the neck. The symptoms usually go away within a month or two. For several years, the infected individual remains asymptomatic and appears to be healthy. However, progression of the virus is slowly occurring.
HIV may be transmitted through any type of sexual contact. It can also be spread through infected blood transfusion, or from mother to child during pregnancy, delivery, or breastfeeding. HIV infection is not transmitted through activities such as kissing, hugging, sharing toilets, sneezing, spitting, and mosquito bites.
Causes of HIV infection
You can acquire HIV by having unprotected sexual contact. HIV in Singapore is most commonly transmitted via sex. Sexual activities that can transmit the virus include:
- Performing oral sex on an HIV-infected male, particularly if he ejaculates into the recipient’s mouth
- Performing oral sex on an infected woman
- Receiving oral sex from an HIV-infected individual (very low risk, but transmission may occur if there is inflammation or bleeding of the gums, cheeks, or lips of the partner performing the sexual act)
- Performing anal intercourse on an infected man or a woman
- Receiving anal intercourse from an infected man
- Performing or receiving vaginal intercourse with an infected partner
Some other methods of transmission are:
- Sharing used syringe(s) and needle(s) with others for intravenous drug injections
- Blood transfusion (in Singapore, HIV and other pathogens are screened for in the blood supply, so transmission by this method is nearly impossible; however, in some countries, screening is not performed and transfused blood may contain the virus)
- Sharing sex toys with an HIV-infected individual
- A newborn acquiring the infection during pregnancy, during delivery, or through breastfeeding
- Exposure to accidental needlestick injuries or contaminated body fluid splashes in healthcare workers
Risk factors for HIV
Regardless of age, race and sex, HIV can affect anyone in the world. You are at higher risk of acquiring a HIV infection if you:
- Have unprotected sex with multiple sex partners or new sex partner.
- Use intravenous (IV) drugs, and share needles and/or syringes with others.
- Are a man who has sex with other men.
- Are an uncircumcised man.
- Have a history of sexually transmitted disease(s).
- Have received a blood transfusion in South America, Africa, Asia, or Eastern Europe.
- Have unprotected sex with an African national.
- Have unprotected sex with a gay or bisexual man.