​​The DSC Clinic performs routine HIV testing on our patients. If you do not wish to be screened, please inform our medical or nursing staff.

HIV antibodies blood test and HIV rapid tests diagnose infection through detecting the presence of antibodies against HIV in the human body.

The differences between the 3 tests are the time taken for the results to be ready and the method of specimen collection. 

DSC Clinic will not be offering the Rapid Oral Test anymore with effect from 17th April 2018.

If your test results are reactive (also commonly known as positive), you are required to undergo a confirmatory test.

The window period is the time between your exposure to the infection and the ability of the existing HIV tests to detect if you have been infected. A human body generally requires 1 to 3 months after infection before it can produce antibodies, which can be identified through a HIV test.

HIV tests performed within the window period may not present with accurate results and a repeat test may be necessary. You may take the test 1 month after exposure but a repeat test is advised, 3 months after exposure.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO ABSTAIN FROM SEXUAL ACTIVITIES, WHILE WAITING FOR YOUR TEST RESULTS. THIS IS BECAUSE YOU MAY PASS ON THE INFECTION TO OTHERS.

You are at high risk of getting HIV if you have vaginal, anal or oral sex with the following people without using a condom.

You can also be at risk if you are a drug user and often share your needles.

If you fall under the 'high risk' category, you are recommended to undergo the HIV antibodies blood test every 6 to 12 months.​

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Disclosure is required for the following:

• A person with HIV infection is required by law to reveal his health status to the sex partner before sexual activities.
• A person with HIV infection is required by law to reveal his health status to medical personnels/ dentist before any invasive procedures.
• A person with HIV infection is encouraged to bring the partner or any other persons at risk of getting the infection (such as mother bringing her baby), for HIV screening.

A person who is HIV positive DOES NOT require to have his health status revealed to anyone else (including employers or relatives) because under the current law governing communicable diseases, the identity of the person infected with HIV is protected and unauthorised disclosure of health information is prohibited, to prevent the exposure of identity.

Under the Infectious Diseases Act, a positive test for HIV is notifiable to the Ministry of Health. For more information on HIV testing, please click here (PDF, 329KB).