http://www.afa.org.sg/
AIDS Information &
Counselling Hotline
AIDS Information & Counselling Hotline Number:
6254 0212
Monday to Friday, 10:00am to 5:30pm
The Hotline provides information and counseling services on all
aspects of AIDS
ANONYMOUS HIV TESTING IN 4
STEPS
Step 1: Reception
You come into the clinic, & pay $20 to the volunteer at the
Reception counter. You can request for OraQuick if you
prefer.
We will give you a receipt with a number on it. This helps us to
identify you, not by name or any other means.
You will also be asked to complete an anonymous questionnaire, so
that you can tell us a little bit more about yourself.
The information you provide will be kept anonymous and
confidential. Your counsellor will call your number when it’s your
turn and they are ready to see you.
Step 2: Pre-test Counselling
This is done inside one of the consultation rooms, and the
session is kept anonymous & confidential. For the purpose of
doing an HIV risk assessment, your counsellor will ask you some
personal questions about your risk behaviour. Some notes may be
taken down on the form, but this will still remain anonymous &
confidential. You should take this opportunity to ask your
counsellor any questions you have about HIV, safer sex or sexual
health.
Step 3: OraQuick or Blood Testing
OraQuick
If you have chosen to have OraQuick (oral fluid test) your
counsellor will take you through the test in the same room where
you are counselled.
Blood testing
For blood testing, you will then be asked to wait outside the
testing room until your number is called.
When it’s your turn, the volunteer tester will call your number.
Your finger will be pricked to get a few drops of blood for the
HIV-antibody test strip.
Only sterile & disposable equipment are used for this
procedure, including gloves, needles, test strips, and cotton
wool.
Step 4: Result & Post-test Counselling
About 15 minutes after the blood-test, your counsellor will
again call your number to give you the result for your HIV
test.
About 20 mins after the OraQuick test, your counsellor will
again call your number to give you the result for your HIV
test.
Important Note on Window Period
before coming down for a test:
The time period between when a person is actually infected with
HIV and when antibodies to HIV can be detected in the test is
called the window period.
Nearly everyone who is infected with HIV (99%) will have antibodies
detected by 3 months after infection.
However, currently used antibody tests are more sensitive than
those used in the past.
Most people will develop detectable antibodies by 30 days after
infection with HIV.
You are therefore able to do your HIV test at our clinic from the
first month of exposure, then confirm your status once more in the
third month.
Action for AIDS, Singapore adopted the estimate of 3 months
window period in consultation with several agencies overseas that
provide similar voluntary HIV counseling and testing services. Most
agencies have adopted the 3 month estimate as evidence based and
reliable. In addition we strongly encourage the adoption of
protected sex for all casual sexual exposures. For persons with
high risk behaviours we encourage annual HIV testing. With
reference to the most recent BASHH guidelines - http://www.bashh.org/documents/63/63.pdf
When to consider testing for HIV –
recommended
Regular there eh?
