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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The FAQs page provides answers to commonly-asked questions about HIV/AIDS and related topics. It is also an excellent starting point for those who want to find out more about HIV/AIDS but are afraid to ask. 1. What is HIV? 2. What is AIDS? 3. What is the difference between HIV and AIDS? 4. How is HIV spread? 5. How many S’poreans are HIV positive? 6. In 2006, how many more S’poreans were found to be HIV positive? 7. Does HIV/AIDS only affect homosexuals and drug addicts? 8. What increases a person's risk of contracting HIV? 9. How can I protect myself against HIV? 10. How safe are condoms against HIV? 11. How can I spot a person who has HIV? 12. Do people living with HIV have any visible symptoms? 13. Does keeping myself fit and healthy protect me against HIV? 14. Where can I get tested for HIV? 15. Is there a cure for HIV/AIDS? 16. Why go for HIV test if there’s no cure for it? 17. Is a second test necessary if the AIDS test results are negative? 18. Why is it important to spread AIDS awareness? 19. What are the common Myths & Misconceptions about HIV/AIDS? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. What is HIV? HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is the virus that causes AIDS. When the virus enters the body, it begins to destroy the body’s resistance to diseases. Over time, the body’s immune system can reach a stage where it is unable to fight off common infections. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. What is AIDS? AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is the final stage of HIV infection, when the body’s resistance to diseases has been severely destroyed. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. What is the difference between HIV and AIDS? AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is caused by the Human Immuno Deficiency Virus (HIV). AIDS is the end stage of an HIV infection. The HIV infection will gradually destroy the body's immune/defense system, making the infected person susceptible to multiple infections and causing death. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4. How is HIV spread? HIV is spread by: • vaginal, anal or oral sexual intercourse with an infected person • an infected mother to her unborn baby • contaminated blood transfusion • sharing of infected needles and sharp objects HIV is not spread by casual contact such as hugging and touching, by sharing dishes, plates, cups or toilet seats or by mosquitoes and other biting insects. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5. How many S’poreans are HIV positive? As of 2006, 3,060 Singaporeans have been found to be HIV positive. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6. In 2006, how many more S’poreans were found to be HIV positive? According to the Ministry of Health, 357 Singaporeans were infected with HIV in 2006. That means that almost everyday, 1 person was diagnosed to be HIV positive. (This is an increase from 317 in 2005) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7. Does HIV/AIDS only affect homosexuals and drug addicts? AIDS is not the result of one’s sexual orientation. Those who fail to take the necessary precautions eg, avoiding casual sex, not using protection, and engage in other high risk behaviours have a higher risk of becoming infected with HIV. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8. What increases a person's risk of contracting HIV? A person’s risk of contracting HIV increases when he engages in the following • casual sex and sex with multiple partners • sex with sex workers • sex with an unfaithful partner who does not use any form of protection • sharing needles with other intravenous drug users • having contaminated blood transfusion ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9. How do I protect myself against HIV? Abstinence from casual sex is the best guarantee against HIV/AIDS. However, using condoms correctly and consistently can also reduce your risk of contracting HIV. Take time to know the person you’re seeing before you even consider sexual relations. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10. How safe are condoms against HIV? Using condoms correctly and consistently can lower the risk of contracting STI/AIDS. However, incorrect usage can reduce its effectiveness. For example, using condoms together with oil-based lubricants like Vaseline or exposing condoms to heat may increase the likelihood for the condoms to tear. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11. How can I spot a person who has HIV? It is impossible to tell by appearance if someone is HIV-positive or has AIDS. The only way to be sure is through a HIV blood test. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12. Do people living with HIV have any visible symptoms? In the early stages an HIV infected person may look and feel well. During this period, the infected person may look and feel normal, although he/she is infectious and can spread the disease to other people, for example, during sexual intercourse. (In fact, it may take up to 10 years before signs/symptoms develop.)Some of the signs and symptoms of HIV infection are common to other illnesses. These may include fever, persistent cough, diarrhoea, loss of weight and swollen glands. Usually these symptoms only occur at the later stage of the infection. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13. Does keeping myself fit and healthy protect me against HIV? It doesn’t matter whether a person is young or old, healthy or weak. HIV/AIDS can affect anyone who engages in high-risk behaviours such as unprotected sex. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14. Where can I get tested for HIV? HIV testing can be done at all government polyclinics and private clinics. If you prefer to be anonymous, you can get tested at: Action For AIDS Anonymous HIV Testing & Counselling Clinic 368 DSC Clinic, 31 Keluntan Lane #01-16, S(200031) Tue: 6.30pm to 8.00pm Wed: 6.30pm to 8.00pm Sat: 1.30pm to 3.30pm ( except public holidays ) Tel: 6254-0212 Anteh Dispensary Family Clinic & Surgery 368 Geylang Road Tel: 67441809 Mon to Fri: 9.00am to 12.00pm, 2.00pm to 5.00pm Sat: 9.00am to 12.00pm (Closed: Sun and public holidays) Cambridge Clinic Block 333, Kreta Ayer Road, #03-27 Tel: 63271252 Mon to Fri: 9.00 am to 4.30pm Sat: 9.00 am to 12.30pm (Closed: Sun and public holidays) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15. Is there a cure for HIV/AIDS? No. As yet, no cure for HIV/AIDS has been found. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16. Why go for HIV test if there’s no cure for it? If you are HIV-positive, early diagnosis and treatment can prolong and allow for a better quality of life. Knowing your HIV status will enable you to take necessary steps to prevent you from spreading the virus to other people. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 17. Is a second test necessary if the HIV test results are negative? Yes. This is especially so when the HIV test has been taken during the ‘window period’. This is a period of 1 to 3 months when a person is infected with HIV but the body has not developed a detectable response to the infection. For those who engage in frequent casual sex, unprotected sex or sex with multiple partners and sex workers, regular HIV testing is strongly recommended. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18. Why is it important to spread AIDS awareness? There is currently no cure or vaccine against AIDS. AIDS will not just affect one's physical health, but will also impact one's financial and social status too. Education is therefore an important preventive measure against the spread of HIV/AIDS. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 19. What are the common myths & misconceptions about HIV/AIDS? • It can't happen to me. Regardless of the number of sexual partners or encounters, all sexual contacts are risky. The risk increases with unprotected sex since there is no way of knowing for sure if your partner has been sleeping around. • People with HIV look sickly. You cannot tell a HIV-positive person from appearance or dressing – just as you can’t judge a person’s character from his dressing. • You can get HIV from mosquitoes. Mosquitoes and other insects do not transmit HIV to humans. • There are young “virgin” prostitutes or special villages that are AIDS- free. Why risk your own life and long-term happiness with strangers? • There are lucky charms or magic potions and rituals that can protect against AIDS. If this is the case, then medication for HIV/AIDS would be readily available and the world will not be facing an AIDS epidemic now. |
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