Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The HIV infection will gradually destroy the body's immune system.

HIV is spread through sexual contact including oral, vaginal, and anal sex; via blood through transfusions or needle sharing; and from a pregnant woman to the foetus she is carrying or a nursing mother to her baby.

The infection is NOT spread by casual contact such as hugging and touching, by inanimate objects such as dishes or toilet seats, or by mosquitoes. 

The most effective way to prevent HIV infection is to remain faithful to one’s spouse/partner and to avoid casual sex and sex with prostitutes. 

Persons who have unprotected sex while engaging in high-risk behaviour have a higher risk of HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI).  Persons engaging in high-risk sexual behaviour, such as having multiple sexual partners, engaging in casual sex or sex with prostitutes, are strongly advised to use condoms to reduce their risk of HIV infection. Condoms should be used consistently and correctly during every sexual encounter. They should also go for HIV testing regularly so that the disease is detected and treated as early as possible. HIV treatment can significantly delay the onset of AIDS and reduce the risk of death.

A HIV-infected person looks and feels normal during the early stage of the infection. It is therefore not possible to tell if a person is infected or not by looking at his/her appearance.

It is an offence under the Infectious Diseases Act for persons who know that they are infected with HIV not to inform their sex partners of their HIV status before sexual intercourse.

When the Infectious Diseases (Amendment) Act 2008 comes into force, a person who has reason to believe that he has, or has been exposed to a significant risk of contracting HIV/AIDS must take reasonable precautions to protect his sexual partner, such as by using condoms, even if he is ignorant of his HIV positive status. Alternatively, he can go for a HIV test to confirm that he is HIV-negative. Otherwise, he must inform his partner of the risk of contracting HIV from him, leaving the partner to voluntarily accept the risk, if he or she so wishes.

HIV antibody testing is available at:

* DSC Clinic (Registration required)
   31 Kelantan Lane #02-16 
   map and registration hours

* Any private clinics or polyclinics


Anonymous HIV antibody testing is available at:

Action For AIDS Anonymous HIV Testing & Counselling Clinic
DSC Clinic, 31 Kelantan Lane, #01-16, S200031 [more info]
Tue: 6.30 to 8.00pm
Wed: 6.30 to 8.00pm
Sat: 1.30 to 3.30pm
(except on public holidays)

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
Sun/public holidays: Closed

Cambridge Clinic
Block 333, Kreta Ayer Road, #03-27
Tel: 63271252
Mon to Fri: 9.00 am to 1.30pm
Sat: 9.00 am to 12.00pm
Sun/public holidays: Closed

Dr Jay Medical Centre
115 Killiney Road S(239553)
Tel: 62355196
Mon to Fri: 9am to 12.30pm, 1.30pm to 4.30pm, 6.30pm to 8.30pm
Sat: 9am to 12.30pm, 6.30pm to 8.30pm
Sun/public holidays: 6.30pm to 8.30pm

Dr Soh Family Clinic
Blk 966 Jurong West Street 93 #01-219 S(640966)
Tel: 67917735
Mon to Fri: 8.30am to 1pm, 2pm to 5pm, 7pm to 9pm
Sat/Sun/Public Holidays: 8.30am to 1pm
(closed on Thursday afternoons and Friday nights)

M Lam Clinic
739 Geylang Road S(389649)
Tel: 67481949
Mon to Fri: 9.30am to 12.30pm,
2.30pm to 5.30pm
Sat: 9.30am to 12.30pm
Sun/Public Holidays: Closed

Robertson Medical Practice
11 Unity Street #02-07 Robertson Walk S(237995)
Tel: 62387810
Mon to Fri: 8am to 3pm, 6pm to 9pm
Sat: 9am to 2pm

Please contact the clinics/centres to check if there are any changes in the opening hours.

As of 1 August 2007, medical clinics are allowed to offer HIV testing with Rapid HIV test kits.  Only clinics which have participated in an MOH training workshop on Rapid HIV Testing are allowed to offer rapid HIV testing.

If you are interested in going for rapid HIV testing, please call the clinic of your choice before you go, to confirm that the clinic is currently offering rapid HIV testing.

Rapid HIV tests are screening tests that produce very quick results, in approximately 20 minutes.  As is true for all screening tests, a reactive rapid HIV test result must be followed by confirmatory testing before a final diagnosis of HIV infection can be made. 

More information on Rapid HIV test can be found here.

Please refer to the Tables.